Update on Coloradan Adventurer Attorney Doug Tumminello's World Record Crossing of Indian Ocean
Date: 06/25/2009
Coloradan adventurer and Rothgerber Johnson & Lyons LLP partner Doug Tumminello is part of an eight-person crew (the Indian Ocean 8), which has now re-written the record books as the fastest, unsupported group to row across the Indian Ocean.
June 25 - Boat No.88 'Aud Eamus' crossed the finish line off Mauritius at 1908 local time (1508 GMT, 9:08 AM MDT) today! The multi-national crew of eight amateur rowers (6 men, one of which is RJ&L's Doug Tumminello, and 2 women) today smashed a record that has remained unbroken for 38 years, for the fastest ever crossing of the Indian Ocean by rowing boat.
Week of June 22 – Team Indian Ocean 8 in the rudderless Aud Eamus past the Bexhill Boat to take the lead with 216 miles left and merely days now to the finish. Doug Tumminello talked with the Denver Post reporter, Kristen Browning-Blas, via satellite phone last week to answer questions about the adventure. When asked, "Which is harder, the physical or the mental part," Doug answered, "The mental aspects are probably the tougher challenges. The body is really adaptable. It's really conditioning the mind to the deprivation that's important." Doug's message to all readers, "Dream big dreams. You're stronger than you think you are, and you can do a lot more than you cam imagine so get out there and do it." Read the entire article on the Denver Post website.
Week of June 15 - Doug recently reported, "Our rudder steering unit has failed, but we have managed to rig up a hand tiller steering system, so with that, we are making fairly good progress, although it has put us further behind the Bexhill Boat and makes it look like it may be very difficult for us to catch them. We are still on, at least now, a record setting pace. We are all holding together fine. Because the steering mechanism failed, the up side to that is that it is not drawing any electrical power, which means we no longer have to ration water, which we have been doing for a couple of days and we are not at risk, at least right now of burning out our sole remaining boat battery. Which if we did, would be bad because we would have no electrics whatsoever, no GPS, no radio, no ability to charge sat phones, things along those lines. So, with every curse I suppose there is a blessing. Silver lining to every cloud. So we are doing good, hanging in there."
Week of June 1 - Doug's boat, Aud Eamus, after starting 10 days late, has passed all but one other boat and is quickly gaining on the leader. In a recent phone conversation, Doug explained why the team had chosen a southern route. Doug said that with large distances the shortest route between two locations is actually not a straight line -- its the rum line, or the line that follows the curvature of the earth. In their case, it is to take a more southerly route, which is shorter in distance. The risk they take with that route is that they have run into more bad weather than those that have chosen the northerly route. They should pick off the lead boat and predictions from various blogs have them reaching Mauritius on or about June 26th.
Week of May 25 - The Indian Ocean 8 crew members are getting along well and spirits are good. It has been reported that they all have blisters and aches, but just the requisite Ocean Rowing fare. So far, they have not seen much in the way of sea life other than flying fish. They have tried fishing, but they have yet to catch anything.
Week of May 4 - The Aud Eamus experienced weather difficulties with a partial capsize after a week at sea. Despite being a little shaken, all eight crew members were unharmed, but the ocean had swept away some vital equipment from the boat, including one sliding seat, some seat covers, and one broken oar. They are keeping to their southerly route as much as possible, despite being battered by storms, and are still making good time.
Week of April 27 - The boat, Aud Eamus (Let Us Dare), launched from Geraldton, Western Australia on April 28, 2009, expecting to row 3100 nautical miles (or nearly 3,500 statute miles) to Port Louis, Mauritius, near South Africa. The team is looking to set a world record for an unsupported, human powered row across the Indian Ocean. Follow the progress of Doug and his crew, online at http://www.indianoceanrowingrace09.com/progress/, or visit the team's site at www.piraterow.com.
Comparing his rowing challenge to daily life as an attorney Doug said in an interview before he left for Australia, "extreme adventures present challenges that are similar to those found in litigation – risky and complex problems that require exhaustive planning, preparation and skill to solve. The days are long, the nights are longer and, in addition to stamina, a good sense of humor is required."