Salisbury woman part of Ace of Blades team rowing across the Atlantic

Lizz Watson, 35, along with her team Ace of Blades left La Gomera in the Canaries to embark on the challenge to row 3,000 miles across the treacherous ocean on December 13.

Now, the foursome has less than 800 miles to go until they reach their destination of Antigua.

The first two weeks at sea were "extremely tough" as the team suffered badly with sea sickness and bad weather resulted in their 25-foot boat being battered by four-metre-plus waves day and night.

Lizz, from Salisbury, said: "‘It’s not without good reason that this is known as one of the world’s toughest rows.

"Sea sickness is inevitable, as is dealing with salt sores, sleep deprivation and technical problems."

Lizz Watson. (Image: Ace of Blades)

At times the team has been forced to row three-up just to stay stationary due to the strong winds pushing them south.

A problem also arose with the desalinating water maker on board which was the team's only source of drinking water.

The relentless shift pattern involves two hours rowing and then two hours off when the women relax, eat, sleep, do any boat jobs, and communicate with home to a limited degree.

Throughout their journey, the team has seen incredible wildlife including more than 200 dolphins and whales which have been seen breaking the bioluminescence at night, a "stunning" spectacle.

Ace of Blades hopes to arrive in Antigua before the end of January but this depends on the weather and if any other issues with the boat arise.

The team has raised just over £6,500 (as of January 19) for charities close to their hearts including Macmillan Cancer Support, Prostate Cymru, The Outward Bound Trust and Charlie Waller Trust.

Lizz said her taste for adventure began after benefitting from a week with the Outward Bound Trust when she was 13 years old.

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Just before her A-levels, Lizz went on to win a fully funded scholarship that took her to the west coast of Scotland on an expedition where she spent weeks off-grid hiking and kayaking with a small group of peers and an instructor for company.

"I came back from that trip a completely different person, equipped with skills and a new-found confidence that gave me the taste for adventure and endurance sports," she said.

To check the Ace of Blades' progress with the 'worlds' toughest row' challenge, visit teamaceofblades.com/challenge.