Russian traveller’s rowboat on home straight to Australian coast

VLADIVOSTOK, May 29 (Itar-Tass) - The Turgoyak rowboat of famous Russian traveller Fyodor Konyukhov is nearing the finishing point with only about 60 miles (about 110 kilometers) left to the Australian city of Mooloolaba, says Sergei Yeremenko from the expedition headquarters in Mooloolaba (Queensland). Over the past 24 hours, the boat of Fyodor Konyukhov has covered more than 37 kilometers. “The wind in the area where the boat is currently sailing is not strong, but still coastal currents and flood-tide streams make new changes to the trip,” he said. “Last night they were carrying the boat north, while now it is pushed south. Fyodor is trying to keep within the latitude of Mooloolaba, where he is to finish, but it will be increasingly difficult for him to do this as the boat approaches the continent. Meanwhile, we hope he will be able to finish on Saturday,” he added. “Today we are planning to fly to him by helicopter. We are not going to dump anything, the main task of the flight is moral support,” he continued. “The home straight is usually very difficult in all respects, and we just want him to see us. This will cheer him up,” Yeremenko said. The rowboat started at the Chilean port of Concon on December 22, 2013 aiming to cover more than 17,200 kilometers. The voyage proceeds under the aegis of the Russian Geographical Society, while Itar-Tass is among its information partners. Learn more on itar-tass.com