Vicar blesses boat ahead of siblings' Atlantic row

A brother and sister hope to set a new rowing world record when they take on a 3,000-mile (4,830km) row across the Atlantic Ocean in a boat which has been "blessed" by a vicar.

Louis Webb, 29, and his sister Giorgia, 32, will take part in the challenge, known as the World's Toughest Row, to raise money for four charities.

They hope to set a new world record by finishing the race, which starts in San Sebastian de la Gomera in the Canary Islands and ends in Antigua, in under 42 days.

Louis, who attends the Anglican St John's Church in Mexborough, South Yorkshire, said he asked Father Edward Morrison to bless the boat for "peace of mind".

"When we got the boat and we'd been out training, you sit there and think of the things that have happened in the past in all forms of water sports," Louis said.

The congregation gathered around the 23ft (7m) boat, named Arthur, outside the church after a nautical-themed service, as the vicar gave the blessing and sprinkled holy water on the vessel.

"Whether or not you believe in nautical superstitions, we are not taking any chances," said Louis, who works as a farrier.

Father Morrison said: "It was a privilege to bless Louis' boat, and he and Giorgia go very much with our prayers."

The inspiration behind the challenge goes back to when the pair were growing up in Kilnhurst, Rotherham, and watched the 2006 BBC documentary, Through Hell and High Water.

It followed Olympic rower James Cracknell, and TV presenter Ben Fogle, taking on the same race.

Although the siblings have taken on challenges such as skydiving and wing-walking, they are novice rowers and have been in training for three years.

Equine yard manager, Giorgia, said: "I'm currently training up to two hours a day, six days a week, and will increase that."

She now lives in the Cotswolds which means the pair are mostly training alone at home on rowing machines.

Her brother said a lot of the teams which take on the challenge are based in separate countries.

"Quite a few of them are in Australia or Canada and only meet up for the first time at the start of the race, so we're quite fortunate we're only a few hours away."

The siblings will set off on 12 December and said they would be carrying supplies for 65 days.

Louis added: "We hope if the weather is on our side, we can do it in 42 days or less, and that means we'll have a world record as the quickest mixed pair to row across the Atlantic."

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