By Abigayle McIntosh

Team Antigua Island has demonstrated share strength, sisterhood, and determination and continues to brave the element of the Pacific, and overcome hurdles and challenges, in hopes of crossing the finish line.

They are among several persons who are competing in the Pacific Atlantic Challenge from California to Hawaii.

This past Tuesday team Kiwi Fondue, a four-man team from the UK and Switzerland became the first to cross the finish line and set a world record.

Alex Brooker, Rich Henderson, Lorenz Gammeter, and Alex Gammeter crossed the finish line in Hanalei, Kauai with a record time of 29 days, 17 hours, and 29 minutes.

The journey continues for Team Antigua who are way past the halfway mark.

In a recent post, they shared another challenge which resulted in yet another delay.

This is a Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) diagnosis that is affecting team member Christal Clashing.

PMDD is described as a very severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). It causes a range of emotional and physical symptoms every month during the week or two before the menstrual cycle.

Clashing shared the diagnosis on her first journey on the water when they competed in the Atlantic.

The condition was controlled by medication however, this time around it did not provide the relief she expected.

“During the Atlantic, I had that managed pretty well but this time around I thought I was doing something similar we were pushing ourselves so hard and with the onset of my period I have severe hallucinations for about 2 to 3 days for the first episode and then the second episode came on because I was using caffeine to stay awake and that may have mixed with the medication I am using,” Clashing shared in a video posted on their Facebook page.

“That has given us some setbacks and I am really grateful for the team picking up the slacks every time I have had these episodes, I have not been able to row effectively. We just wanted to bring awareness to this condition because I personally know three women who suffer from this condition”.

Team Captain Kevinia Francis said it was a very scary period not knowing what to expect.

She said in the moment they tried to acknowledge whatever statement is shared by Clashing.

“We were really concerned we called our home team and had a discussion. The next day she was not aware of anything that happened. We are managing and we are continuing our journey to Hawaii,” Francis said.

The girls are rowing to set up a center for girls who are in conflict with the law. Donations can be made via the GoFundMe page, account number 20004631, or by contacting their contacting their team support at 736-6068.