Strong winds have been blowing Simon and the pairs boats backwards, Having lost 50 hard earned miles in two days has been the last straw. As expected, the rudder lines snapped on Monday night and the boat has been drifting backwards ever since. 

Simon can no longer contend with keeping everything working and row an ocean, especially in weather that has been so consistently against him.

He is waiting for the support boat to come and get him, which they should do later today. He wants to discuss his options with them and may yet do some more rowing but only to save his boat from being sunk at sea. He has withdrawn from the race. 

In the past two days, he has watched every film on his Ipod and PC and 'read' two e-books. Thankfully he has, at last, managed to pick up some BBC world service on his LW radio so is well informed about world news.

Sorry to bring bad news but don't let it spoil your day. I will try and keep the blog going until he is back on dry land.