Rower's world record hopes delayed by food wait

A rower who has aspirations to smash two world records by traversing the Indian Ocean has been left high and dry after her team's food order was damaged.

Lara Vafiadis, from Malvern, Worcestershire, and her three crew mates had planned to begin their 5,500 miles (8,851km) journey from Australia to Kenya last week but they have been delayed.

The 36-year-old said a large food pallet from the UK was damaged on its journey to the rowers, leading to it not passing customs.

If the team achieve their goal they will become the first mixed crew to make the continent-to-continent crossing. Vafiadis and her fellow female rower, Dr Susannah Cass, would also become the first women to make the crossing.

But their attempt will be delayed until an alternative food package can reach them.

Explaining the issue, Vafiadis said: "So, we were a little delayed because our food that was on a rather large pallet from the UK was taking a little bit longer to clear [customs].

"It did clear about 10 days ago, we were all very excited and it was, unfortunately, on its final five hour leg when the pallet was unfortunately damaged.

"This meant, because of the really strict bio-security rules that Australia has, it meant the pallet was no longer viable and the entire food pallet was seized by customs."

This incident had happened just six hours before the crew were set to depart, she said.

The four Britons are in Carnarvon in northern Australia where they launched a plea for support.

"We didn't know what to do...we put out a plea on our social media on Friday and we've genuinely had a rather overwhelming response," she said.

"There's been loads of people here in Australia and back at home who have donated on our GoFundMe, and we've had six new sponsors."

The original food pallet had cost the rowers £17,000 and it will cost them another £15,000 to replace.

The fundraising page has since accumulated more than £12,000. Vafiadis said the crew will be ready to depart again once their food stock has been replenished.

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