TWO thirds of the Atlantic Rowing Race fleet have now passed that morale-boosting indicator that shows the finish line is less than 1,000 miles away.

As the race enters its eighth week, Dartmouth's Jo Langmead has seen a change in shift patterns to overcome the stifling heat; Trusham's Dave Brooks has in recent days stopped rowing during the hottest period of the day and continues fish for Dorada to supplement his diet; and Stu Burbridge is holding on to a top-half place.

The gruelling 2,550-nautical mile race from the Canary Islands to English Harbour on Antigua includes seven solos, 20 pairs and three fours.

Brooks is rowing solo aboard the 24ft ocean rowing boat Team Panasonic, Langmead is aboard the all-female four Mission Atlantic; and former Torbay Hospital doctor Burbridge rows in the pair Ocean Summit.

The intense heat is calling for drastic action and, in a message from Mission Atlantic, Langmead said: "Conditions have been against us again recently, but now the weather has moderated again we are aiming to increase our daily distances to make up the ground we have lost.

"We're doing one-hour shifts during the day and not pushing too hard in the 35-degree heat, then going for it at night when it's cooler.

"So, we are feeling the aches and pains, but other than that we are all well and emotionally strong, although we will possibly break down at the finish through sheer relief that it's over!

"We would like to report that all is going very, very, well here on the boat.

"We are working well together as a team, with only the tiniest of niggles every now and then which only last seconds.

"After weeks at sea we're all still holding it together but it's getting tougher now due to the heat, hence the one-hour shifts during the day.

"We are suffering from aching joints...something we were never warned about!

"At the start of each new shift we have to 'will' our fingers to de-claw so we can row!

"Muscles are fine but joint pain is bad for all of us in knees, fingers, elbows and ankles."

Brooks said of the heat: "Conditions for rowing are just ridiculous. I had to abandon my midday row today and will tag it on to the twilight sessions as it hit around 40 degrees, 35 in the shade — even my technique of soaking my tee-shirt in fresh water and draping it over my shoulders was insufficient."

Ocean Summit has less than 900 miles remaining and has settled into 12th place, currently rowing more than 40 miles a day.

Mission Atlantic has about 900 miles to go and is 18th, averaging 35 to 40 miles a day, while Team Panasonic is 21st, about to break the 1,000 miles-to-go mark averaging 35 to 40 miles a day.