Malvern rower’s world record hopes delayed by food wait

A rower who has aspirations to smash two world records by traversing the Indian Ocean has been left high and dry after her team’s food order was damaged.

Lara Vafiadis, from Malvern, Worcestershire, and her three crew mates had planned to begin their 5,500 miles (8,851km) journey from Australia to Kenya last week but they have been delayed.

The 36-year-old said a large food pallet from the UK was damaged on its journey to the rowers, leading to it not passing customs.

If the team achieve their goal they will become the first mixed crew to make the continent-to-continent crossing. Vafiadis and her fellow female rower, Dr Susannah Cass, would also become the first women to make the crossing.

But their attempt will be delayed until an alternative food package can reach them.

Explaining the issue, Vafiadis said: “So, we were a little delayed because our food that was on a rather large pallet from the UK was taking a little bit longer to clear [customs].

“It did clear about 10 days ago, we were all very excited and it was, unfortunately, on its final five hour leg when the pallet was unfortunately damaged.

“This meant, because of the really strict bio-security rules that Australia has, it meant the pallet was no longer viable and the entire food pallet was seized by customs.”