Fyodor Konyukhov crossing Pacific Ocean covers over 9 thousand kilometres

VLADIVOSTOK, March 17 (Itar-Tass) - Russia’s famous traveller Fyodor Konyukhov has covered over 9,000 kilometres across the Pacific Ocean on his solo voyage on board the Turgoyak boat. He has been crossing the ocean from South America to Australia. The Ocean Rowing Society has been using satellite navigation to trace the traveller from London. Konyukov on board the boat, which is only nine metres long, crosses the ocean fighting storms and cyclones, as winds are forcing the boat backwards, but with every day, step by step, the traveller has been approaching the Australian coat. The remaining distance to cover is 6,000 kilometres now. The past weekend was very complicated. During the communication with Moscow, Konyukhov said the wind was up to 15.43 m/sec. “The boat is being thrown towards the Mataiva Atoll /an island in the Tuamotu Archipelago in French Polynesia/, rowing is not helpful, the ocean is flurrying, the waves are uneven,” Fyodor said. Under those conditions, he could do nothing but get into the cabin, and batten down the hatches. “It is impossible to air the cabin, the thermometer shows plus 39 degrees, I can literally see the walls and the ceiling get covered with mildew.” The mission’s Moscow-based headquarters report they have managed to agree with the French Polynesian ground services they will send to Fyodor Konyukhov regular weather forecasts. On Monday, the wind in the region is expected to reach 35-40 metres a second, which means a hurricane.