We've been absolutely overwhelmed by the number of messages of support we've received since Steve was airlifted to hospital after suffering a massive heart attack. Now that his family are aware of the full circumstances of our traumatic day on Monday, I can reveal that Steve very nearly died on us. His doctor has told him that the only thing that saved him was his excellent state of fitness.
However, the upshot of it all is that Steve will never again set foot on Spirit of Cardiff. He remains in hospital awaiting further tests to determine the way forward for future treatment. Dependent on the results of those tests, he may be pronounced fit to travel in the next week or so, but in the worst case scenario, he may have to remain in St John's for two to three months.
As far as Alan and I are concerned, we are physically, mentally and emotionally unable to consider continuing at the moment. Whilst many well-wishers have encouraged us not to give up now so close from the end, the fact is we've pushed ourselves too far. We are absolutely wrecked, and all the aches, pains, and inability to remain focussed on anything or keep our balance - which we expected at the end of the trip - are happening to us now. When we visited Steve in hospital this morning, he actually looked in better condition than we do.
There is also the moral issue that having gone this far together, it would be inappropriate for us to continue without Steve. He has put his life and soul into the Around the World project as much as the rest of us, and a record without him would be a hollow victory. World records come and go, but what's more important to us is sticking together. Call us the three musketeers if you like, but for us it's all for one, and one for all.
The plan at the moment is to put the boat into storage for a month or so until we can make further arrangements after we've recovered. The world record is gone, but the boat will return to Cardiff, and will have completed a circumnavigation of the world, even if not as a world record under the strict rules of the RYA and UIM.
Ironically, we find that the Bed and Breakfast we're staying in is the same place used by Mark Stubbs and his Skandia Ocean Row team before they set off on their abortive attempt to row across the Atlantic. And with a home for the boat sorted, I will be returning to the UK in the next couple of days, while Alan remains in St John's to be with Steve until he's fit to travel.
Clive Tully
Copyright Clive Tully ©2002
Report transmitted by Iridium satellite network