Capsize rower reveals love of the land

THE Scots adventurer rescued from a liferaft in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean after a gruelling test of endurance nearly claimed his life has told his mother he has “discovered he is a land lover”.

Mark Beaumont, who became famous after he cycled around the world, was part of a six-man team attempting to create a new rowing record when their boat capsized in mid-Atlantic.

The group waited 14 hours to be rescued from a liferaft after two waves crashed into their 36ft boat, the Sara G, turning it sideways and filling it with water 520 miles short of their destination of Barbados.

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In an emotional first phone call to his mother Una at home, the 29-year-old from Perthshire revealed he had “lost everything”, including his glasses, mobile phone and passport.

She revealed: “I had a call from Mark yesterday on the captain’s telephone. It’s been much tougher than expected, for him on the boat and for us here following. He was definitely out of his comfort zone and every day was tougher than anticipated.

“We’ll have to wait and hear [whether his ordeal has put him off further adventures at sea], but he did say he’s discovered he’s a land lover.”

Mr Beaumont and his five crew had been attempting to row 3,500 miles from Morocco to Barbados in less than 30 days.

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