Madsen and Festor's website  

Reporting on her blog Madsen says they are averaging 50 miles a day pace. They currently sit in eighth place of the 15 entered in the pairs class.

Madsen (USA) and Festor (FRA) are the only adaptive rowers competing and have little commonality of language. Madsen is a World Champion adaptive rower in the Trunk and Arms double (TA2x). Festor is an amputee who, although new to rowing, participates in a number of sports.

The duo are flying the United Nations flag as they work their way across 4727km of Atlantic Ocean.

Reports from the duo state:

“The wind and seas have been rough. Angela described it as feeling like constantly riding a bucking bronco. Franck described rowing south as a "bad row". But they did move south to catch the current to the west. In the last couple of days they have been rowing together, because the seas have been too rough for one person rowing alone to make progress.

Presently there is an area of cyclonic winds to their north, so rowing will be tough the next couple of days, unless of course they can catch a ride on an awesome westward wind.

Angela and Franck have seen amazing marine life. There was the time Angela was rowing and noticed something off the back of the boat. She thought she had left the Para anchor out (a parachute type device that keeps the boat from drifting aimlessly), until she saw the fin. It turned out she had secured the para anchor, and was actually being stalked by a 12 foot shark.

They also had an encounter with a sea turtle. He swam to the side of the boat and looked to say something to Franck. Franck spoke back and the sea turtle had an odd look on his face. Angela determined that the sea turtle did not understand French any better than she does.

They have seen schools of dolphin and been hit by flying fish. Angela says that flying fish cannot be used as a meal because they turn to mush as soon as they hit. The pieces have to be scraped up.

Many of the rowers have been rowing naked. Angela did try this one night, but it was a choice not a necessity as her clothes are working perfectly. No chaffing!

They have made clean water and washed their clothes. Angela has a tip for clothes drying; put the clothes through the unused oars for drying. Franck washed his clothes and hung them over the oars. Doh! Now there are some nicely outfitted marine animals wearing the striking navy, powder blue and purple Row of Life Gear.

Angela and Franck had a wonderful Christmas. Angela gave Franck the presents that his family had sent with her in September and Franck was touched. Angela talked to her daughter, Jenn and grandkids, Amanda, Angel and Chyenne, as well as her Dad and mom, Ronald and Betty Madsen. They ate their dehydrated food and Franck drank a beer. Angela decorated the boat with solar Christmas lights."

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