Solo rowing world-record seeker powering across the Atlantic with help from CurraNZ

KIKO MATTHEWS is now ten days into her solo Atlantic rowing bid and settling into life at sea, which has featured friendly dolphins, raging seas and a close shave with her vessel capsizing sideways. 

In her latest blog, the CurraNZ-powered Londoner charts how 'massive 80ft' waves and strong winds are forcing her to keep her wits about her, but propelling her to fantastic progress in her search for a new world record. 

After day nine she had rowed 535 nautical miles of the 3,000-mile crossing, which at the same rate of progress, puts her on target to smash the 55-day record by a whopping 13 days. 

Incredibly, with the long daily rowing shifts starting at 4.30am, she's reporting no muscle soreness (thanks to CurraNZ, of course!) and wondering if she's rowing hard enough.

She reports: "I've definitely just had my hardest day, the honeymoon period is over now, and while these winds keep at me, it was probably inevitable. I have to keep reminding myself ‘it’s only temporary’ and why I’m doing this.

"Eating is becoming a bit of an issue but no aches or pains, so that’s a relief. Perhaps I’m not working hard enough!"

Kiko survived a rare, life-threatening cancer thanks to the care she received from King's College Hospital. Her Atlantic rowing challenge is in aid of a massive fundraising bid for their new intensive care unit and she is just over halfway to raising her target of £100,000. To read Kiko's blog and to support her cause, click here