The 73-year-old chairman of Oldham Athletic has vowed to complete his solo row across the Atlantic Ocean after his boat capsized TWICE – sending him crashing into the ocean.
Frank Rothwell is attempting to break his own world record and raise £1 million for Alzheimer's Research UK by completing an epic sailing voyage from the Canary Islands to Antigua.
But his 5,000 kilometer journey, which started last week, was disrupted this morning by surging waves, sending the pensioner into the water.
“The first time I spoke to my daughter Su on the phone,” Frank said Mailsport from satellite phone 350 kilometers off the coast of La Gomera.
'I was sitting inside with a slatted base and when it happened I felt like I was in a washing machine. Everything flew into the air and one of my emergency alarms that was pinned to the wall got ripped off and lost.”
Oldham Athletic chairman Frank Rothwell was shocked when he capsized twice while rowing solo
The 73-year-old was tied to the boat at all times, but panicked due to the blaring emergency alarm
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The boat, named For A Cure, repaired itself, but not without additional damage.
“There were Mars bars everywhere and all my emergency alarms were beeping,” Frank added.
When the water seemed calm, Frank went out to set up what's called a storm jib: a small sail that helps keep the boat stable in turbulent times.
However, while he was doing so, another gigantic wave hit and this time he was dumped into the sea.
“Luckily I'm always strapped into the boat,” he said. “If I hadn't been there, I would have been a goner. The boat was on its side and I was able to swim over it, correct it and get back on board.'
Business owner Frank, who is raising money in honor of his brother-in-law and close friend, who both died from the disease, immediately called his wife Judith to let her know what had happened before calling race control.
Rothwell was disturbed by waves this morning, sending the pensioner into the water
Rothwell (pictured after completing the Atlantic Challenge for the first time) is aiming for a new record
“I lost a lot of rope the second time and, if I'm honest, I was half hoping they would tell me to stop doing it,” he explained.
'I'm not a quitter and would never quit, but if they had told me I had to, that would be different, I would have had an excuse.
“But they said that despite losing the rope, I still had everything I needed and that I could continue if I wanted to, so that's what I'm doing.”
Frank, who took over the National League side with his family last year, admitted he was shocked by the double episode.
“I've had an absolutely bad day,” he said. 'I have never capsized in all my sailing time and now it has happened twice.
'At first I was a little upset, but as the day went on I felt better. If anything, it has given me more determination to continue. I was determined to win and improve my time from the last time I did it, but if it now takes an extra two to three weeks, that's fine.”
In 2021, Frank completed the row in 56 days, becoming the oldest person to cross the Atlantic Ocean solo at the age of 70. This time he aimed for 49 days until this morning's drama. At home, son Luke, 48, helps with navigation.
Rothwell wants to beat his own record as the oldest man to ever accomplish the feat
Rothwell refuses to quit and despite losing a lot of rope, he has what he needs to finish his line
“He called to tell us what had happened and was full of adrenaline,” he said.
'He said his training started and everything was fine, but that was in a marina, not in the middle of the ocean!
'He was annoyed because he had a fairy that his grandson gave him that was his mascot last time, and now he's lost it.
'The great thing is that he now knows what limitations the boat has and how vulnerable it can be.'
To donate, go to: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/frankrothwell