The chair of the Celtic Challenge committee will be taking part in his ninth consecutive challenge - in his 70th year - after admitting the event has become “part of his life”.

Mick Fothergill will compete in his 12th Celtic Challenge overall and his ninth in a row in this year’s event, as part of one of the 12-person crews that will take part on the May Bank Holiday.

While Mick said the gruelling challenge involved a lot of hard work and training in wintry weather, he said the teamwork and bonds formed with fellow crewmates made it all worthwhile.

He said: “Every two years a mist of madness seems to stretch across the Irish Sea. Rowers lift their eyes in search of distant horizons, tighten their belts, strengthen their resolve and ask the question ‘Can I do it?’

“The ‘it’ is the Celtic Challenge, a biannual rowing race across the Irish Sea from Arklow to Aberystwyth, a distance of about 90 miles.

“The race is an extreme test of endurance and stamina and generally takes between 15 and 27 hours, depending on the prevailing weather conditions.

“This year will see the 12th challenge and my ninth consecutive race.

“I am in my 70th year and you would think that by now I would have seen some sense and swapped my oar for a pair of slippers, but the challenge won’t let me.

“It has become part of my life."

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