Rowing: Gritty duo counting down to grilled breakfast

By SUZANNE McFADDEN

When New Zealanders Jude Ellis and Steph Brown arrive in Barbados today, they will make history as the first women's crew to row across one of the world's oceans.

After 50 days at sea, Ellis and Brown will complete the remarkable feat of rowing across the Atlantic and finishing fourth in a fleet of 34 boats crewed by men.

The New Zealand women have made the 3000-nautical-mile journey in a "veteran" boat - Kiwi Challenge, winner of the last transatlantic race with Phil Stubbs and Rob Hamill.

Last night, the women had around 40 miles to the finish, where the race winners - New Zealand men Steve Westlake and Matt Goodman - have been waiting for the past week.

Ellis said yesterday that she and Brown were beginning to feel weary physically - but not mentally - after their non-stop rowing routine.

"It's bizarre, because you'd think we would have had a gutsful by now.

"But it doesn't feel like 50 days, because all the days run in together," Ellis said.

"But our bodies are getting tired now.

"I fell asleep at the oars yesterday, woke up and found the boat perpendicular to where it was supposed to be going.

"And Steph has nodded off and fallen off her seat."

There was a tinge of disappointment for the Kiwi women, who had hoped to nab third place but were beaten to the line by two Belgian brothers, expected to finish during the night.

It has been an intense battle between the two boats throughout the entire race - at the midway point, the women saw the Belgians' mast light on the horizon.

Ellis and Brown have been coaxed along by the New Zealand men's crew, who beat the Australians on Freedom by three days.

"The guys have been awesome - ringing us every day," Ellis said. "They've told us they won't go partying till we get there.

"They have promised to cook our first breakfast on land, and we've already ordered grilled bacon and eggs."

Unlike the men, the New Zealand women have had favourable weather in the final days of their voyage, pushed into port by trade winds which deserted the leaders.

The only other woman in the fleet, British solo rower Debra Veal, is still 1800 miles from the finish - expected home in late January.

The other solo rower in the fleet, English journalist Jon Gornall, withdrew yesterday, suffering from exhaustion. His boat was burned at sea.