Posted on 6/24/2002, 10:02:16 AM by 2Trievers
A Spanish aristocrat has become the first person to cross the Atlantic by jet ski. Alvaro
He spent an average 12 hours a day on the water and slept on a support boat, never stepping ashore.
Count Alvaro, brother-in-law of Princess Elena of Spain, drank milkshakes and ate grapes and bananas to keep up his strength.
He told the Miami Herald the hardest part of the challenge was the cold weather and 18-foot waves.
Count Alvaro stood up on the jet ski for most of the journey to prevent possible injury to his spine.
He was greeted in Miami by his mother, Countess de Ripalda, and celebrated by reciting the Lord's Prayer.
The 41-year-old left Rome on February 23. He lost about 10 kilogrammes in body weight during the journey.
Count Alvaro said: "I had a lot of chances of not arriving [in Miami]. It was quite scary. Every moment at sea is unique. You realise you are nobody at all - just a little tiny thing in the house of God."
Edgar Figueroa, captain of the 60-foot support boat which tracked his progress, said: "I was boggled by the challenge. The trip was very exhausting."
Oh whoopee.
Noisey ?
BUMP
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.