A charity rower is facing having to complete an Atlantic crossing solo after his racing partner was forced to pull out.
The Torry-based Rowing for Rascals team lost Robert Strachan halfway through the 3.000-mile Talisker Whisky Challenge.
But Duncan Adamson Brown is determined to complete the gruelling event on his own.
The personal trainer passed the halfway mark last week and now has 922 nautical miles left before reaching his final destination in Antigua.
The Rascals pair had braved treacherous conditions as part of the expedition in aid of the ARCHIE Foundation and Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Mr Strachan has had to bow out for personal reasons and leave their boat – and home since December 20 – the Papa Delta.
Meanwhile, Fort William man Liam Browning and his four counterparts from the All Beans No Monkeys team finished sixth in the challenge at 5.40am on Wednesday.
The group were raising money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and completed the race in just 46 days.
Mr Brown has set his sights on catching up with the other boats still in the competition.
He added: “The weight of the boat will be less with Andy gone, and the pressure to do well in the race because we are two big, powerful guys has gone because we’re down to one man.”
Mr Brown’s sister, Rachel Norris, has been tracking the progress of the Rascals and keeping their followers updated.
She said: “It is with sadness that we have to announce the departure of Robert from Papa Delta.
“He left the boat for personal reasons and bid farewell and good luck to rowing partner Duncan, who will push on to Antigua alone.
“Duncan’s competitive side is kicking in and he is using it to motivate himself to eat up the miles between his current position and Antigua.
“I’m sure I speak for most if not all of us when I say that my heart goes out to Robert having to leave the challenge part way through.”
Donations can be made at:
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=Rowing4Rascals
.