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Adventurer Sarah Outen sets off for second attempt at rowing across the North Pacific Ocean

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Intrepid adventurer Sarah Outen has started her second world record attempt to become the first person to row solo across the North Pacific Ocean. The 27-year-old began her 4,500-nautical mile trip from Japan to Canada in her rowing boat, Happy Socks, shortly before 8am UK time (3pm in Japan). It is the latest leg of her round-the-world trip by kayak, bike and rowing boat. Sarah, of Oakham, first attempted the row in May last year, but the challenge was cut short when she hit a typhoon several hundred miles off the coast of Japan. After days of being battered by 15 metre high waves and winds gusting at more than 80 miles an hour, her first boat, Gulliver, sustained irreparable damage and capsized more than 20 times. She was left with no choice but to call for a rescue - but was determined to try again. Before setting off today, Sarah said: "I am an ocean girl at heart. I love being so close to the water and living to the rhythms of the wild. The energy out there is magic and the dynamics are so exciting. "There are no guarantees of success out there and it will take every ounce of physical and mental strength and a good dollop of luck to make it across safely. But I believe I have the best possible chance - physically and mentally I am strong and determined to give this my best shot." The ocean row is set to be the most gruelling part of Sarah's London2London: Via the World expedition. If successful, she will become the first woman to row solo across the North Pacific Ocean, from west to east, and the first person to ever row solo from Japan to Canada. Just three boats have rowed west to wast across the North Pacific, and all of them rowed from Japan to America. Many attempts have failed. The journey will see Sarah spending between 150 and 200 days alone out at sea. She is rowing completely on her own and is self-sufficient, having taken all the food she will need with her today. She will use a desalination machine to convert seawater into drinking water. "The North Pacific has already proven itself to be the most gruelling part of my whole London2London expedition," she said. "Physically and mentally, I know I will be exhausted most of the time. The distance, the weather conditions and my complete isolation will make it hugely challenging. Even so, I am ready for it and keen to get out there once more. "There are so many beautiful things about being alone on the ocean - the wildlife is my favourite part." Sarah has a full suite of communications equipment onboard, allowing her to do interviews, blog and tweet while out on the ocean. She is tracked with a Yellowbrick GPS tracker and everything is charged using onboard solar panels. She will be sharing her stories from the row and the wider expedition through her website and social media. Her aim is to raise more than £100,000 in sponsorship for good causes - CoppaFeel!, The Jubilee Sailing Trust, MNDA and WaterAid.

Adventurer Sarah Outen sets off for second attempt at rowing across the North Pacific Ocean


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