{"id":123637,"date":"2021-02-08T08:58:17","date_gmt":"2021-02-08T12:58:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?p=123637"},"modified":"2021-02-08T08:58:17","modified_gmt":"2021-02-08T12:58:17","slug":"man-70-oldest-to-row-atlantic-unassisted","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/man-70-oldest-to-row-atlantic-unassisted\/","title":{"rendered":"Man, 70, oldest to row Atlantic unassisted"},"content":{"rendered":"
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(BBC) A 70-year-old man has raised more than \u00a3700,000 for dementia research after rowing 3,000 miles unassisted across the Atlantic.<\/b><\/p>

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Frank Rothwell, from Oldham, set off from the Canary Islands on 12 December in a boat nicknamed Never Too Old and reached Antigua on Saturday.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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He said crossing the finish line was a “completely euphoric moment”.<\/p>

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He also paid tribute to his brother-in-law, who died aged 62 with Alzheimer’s disease during the journey.<\/p>

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“While rowing, I received heart-breaking messages from people who have had similar experiences to my own, with my brother-in-law, Roger, so I hope I’ve helped other families in some way too,” he said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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In April, Guinness World Records and the Ocean Rowing Society\u00a0confirmed 72-year-old Graham Walters, from Leicestershire,<\/a>\u00a0as the oldest person to row solo across the Atlantic, despite being towed the final few miles to shore.<\/p>

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At 70, Mr Rothwell is the oldest person to complete the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Mr Rothwell has previously spent five weeks on a deserted island for a Bear Grylls TV programme.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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Speaking after his journey, he said: “I felt quite emotional approaching the finish.<\/p>

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“It took six long weeks to row the Atlantic, but the challenge itself has taken over 18 months of training and preparation, so I’m very proud of what I’ve achieved and the unbelievable journey I’ve been on.”<\/p>

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Mr Rothwell reached Antigua before his Valentine’s Day target and was reunited with Judith, his wife of 50 years.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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