By Caroline Gammell, PA

Stricken Atlantic rowers rescued

Two men fighting for survival in a life-raft after getting into trouble in the Atlantic Rowing Race were rescued today – just 200 miles from the finishing line.

Bob Warren and Chris Barrett were competing in the 2,550-nautical mile race which left the Canary Islands at the end of November.

The pair, on board the Spirit Of Cornwall, had hoped to complete the challenge in Antigua, where Olympic rower James Cracknell and TV presenter Ben Fogle arrived last week.

But the men got into difficulty yesterday afternoon and sent out a distress signal which was picked up by Falmouth Coastguard.

A full-scale search was launched, which included the race's primary support vessel Aurora, a merchant ship called Rainbow and a Royal Naval destroyer.

The pair were spotted clinging to a life-raft at 10.30pm UK time last night.

HMS Southampton was 140 miles away from the troubled rowers at the time and was called to help rescue them.

The ship travelled at a maximum speed of 21 knots through the rough waters to try to help the men.

Navy spokesman Lt Col Andy Price said HMS Southampton was ready to launch a helicopter to rescue the rowers but they were safely picked up by Aurora just before 6am UK time.

“The sea state was pretty hazardous, it was a really uncomfortable route for them,” said Lt Col Price. “At a maximum speed, the ship bounces through the waves.

“The rowers were picked up by the race support vessel and Southampton was released to go back to its drugs work.”

Mr Warren and Mr Barrett, both from Cornwall, were said to be deeply disappointed not to finish the race but were in good health.

“They are absolutely fine and completely unharmed,” said a spokeswoman for Woodvale Events, which organises the two-yearly race.

The pair were on board one of 26 boats taking part in the Atlantic challenge.

Mr Warren and Mr Barrett are not the first crew to get into difficulty during the gruelling race, which is now in its 53rd day.

Two Irish rowers – Ciaran Lewis and Gearoid Towey – were rescued in an almost identical incident 15 days ago.

Their boat capsized 1,600 miles from the finishing line in Antigua and the men were rescued by a merchant tanker.

Mr Cracknell and Mr Fogle survived a terrifying capsize en route before coming third in the race.

It was the second time HMS Southampton had been called upon to assist in a rescue operation in as many days.

Yesterday, the destroyer raced at full speed for 40 miles to a motor vessel, off the coast of Dominica in the eastern Caribbean, after receiving a Mayday call.

The ship's Lynx helicopter was launched and winched five of the six-man crew to safety while the final sailor was rescued by the ship's boat.

They had issued a call for help after the Lady Sacha began to break up and take on water due to heavy seas.

Once on board Southampton, the men, all from Guyana, were given a full medical examination and a hot meal before being taken to Martinique.

The ship is due to return to the UK in February after six months' operational patrol in the Atlantic and Caribbean region.

(material from http://news.independent.co.uk)

Part 2

Read the article below and complete the text with the extracts a-h. There are three extra extracts.

a) as well as being fitter and faster

b) being in last place immediately after the start

c) he quite possibly could have an advantage as well

d) his achievements as an athlete and as a human being

e) not whether he has earned the right or whether it would be great to see

f) running faster than anyone else

g) whether or not his prostheses are a technical aid

h) it’s morally right

‘Blade Runner’ tough to judge

By Michael Johnson

I have watched the 'Blade Runner' saga unfold over the past few weeks. This concerns whether Oscar Pistorius, a South African amputee using prostheses, should be allowed to compete with able-bodied runners. The argument over him combines two separate issues.

Typically, people comment on how brave and courageous Oscar is and how admirable it is that this young man has not given up. Despite the fact that he does not enjoy the benefit of having both his legs, he has refused to let that stop him. He has achieved at the highest level of athletics for the disabled. And so, given that, why deny him the opportunity to compete with able-bodied athletes?

The first issue is (1) _____________________________, having already set Paralympic records. They are impressive, admirable and inspirational. There is no doubt about that and I don't believe there are many people who would argue with that opinion.

The second issue is whether or not Pistorius should be allowed to compete with able-bodied athletes. The question is (2) _____________________________, or whether it would be inspirational to other disabled people. The question is whether his prostheses or 'blades' should be considered a technical aid.

If they are indeed considered a technical aid, that would preclude him from competing with able-bodied athletes, according to International Association of Athletics Federation rules.

When considering whether he should be allowed to compete with able-bodied athletes, the only thing that should be taken into account is (3) __________________________. I have found this difficult to do because it is such an inspirational story - but the IAAF is responsible for ensuring that the sport of athletics remains fair to all competitors.

I believe that most people who have supported his efforts to be eligible to compete in the Beijing Olympics next year, don't really consider him to be a real contender. They see him lining up for the race, (4) _____________________________, and finishing last. They see two separate races on the track – the able-bodied athletes competing against one another, and Oscar competing against the clock, and the odds, to hopefully set a world record for amputee athletes, which would be a great and inspirational moment to see.

But a completely different outcome could occur – a scenario in which an able-bodied athlete, who has worked just as hard as Oscar and has qualified for the Olympic Games, ends up in a preliminary race against him. Oscar defeats the other athlete and advances to the next round – ending the other athlete's Olympic dream. What is not considered is that while the amputee athlete obviously has a disadvantage compared to an able-bodied athlete, (5) _____________________________.

It is almost impossible for the IAAF to measure the exact advantages and disadvantages of every amputee athlete and his prostheses to determine whether the pluses and minuses together create an unfair overall advantage for disabled athletes.

What is not impossible to do is imagine how much technology and science have already advanced our lives in so many ways. It is also not impossible to imagine the efforts people will go to, to achieve in sports.

Those two are a dangerous combination and I don't believe the IAAF is ready or prepared to accurately judge these types of cases – or whether it is even possible.

(material from http://www.telegraph.co.uk)

Writing

You were recently listening to a radio programme about sports technology. One of the guests said that modern sports technology was ruining sport as it enables people to do things without having to train hard or put the effort in. What do you think? What are the advantages and disadvantages of sports technology? Write a letter / essay to send to the programme expressing your opinion. Write about 250 words.

Date: 2016-01-03; view: 1469