Shekhdar Southern Ocean Update–Crash, Pow, Glub: Marathon rower Jim Shekhdar has finally stopped getting his ass kicked…at least long enough to write some e-mail updates. And it hasn’t been pretty. He’s in decent weather now, but spent the last three days getting hammered by gales or plowing through calms. The boat has been dumped sideways a bunch of times, and once he almost fell overboard while fiddling with his wind generator. He was saved by his harness. Here’s Jim’s take:

The last 3 days have been gales/storms or nothing. Top speed in a gale was 16kt!!!, fell over 8 times and total chaos in the cabins! I am warm and dryish but very reluctant to go outside at the moment. Course has been awful – driven North a lot! Haven’t tried the dagger board yet, I’m falling over enough without it – very grateful for the bean bags – I sleep surrounded by them for comfort and protection!!

Yessirree, thank god for the bean bags. And he’s not even in the Southern Ocean yet! Jim’s 5 days in and has covered about 321 miles as the crow flies. If he survives the next 4400, he’ll be at Cape Horn. This guy is definitely in the running for Wetass of the Year…..

Shekhdar Position Chart: Drunk on the 8th???

(Source: Ocean Rowing Society)