Jari Saario: From Distress to Safety on the Cymona Eagle
As the Cymona Eagle sails towards Cape Town, Jari Saario, a Finnish extreme rower recently rescued from the treacherous waters, begins to reflect on his harrowing experience.
“I can say that I was frozen then,” he confessed, describing his state at the moment he was pulled from the sea early Sunday morning. The chilling grip of hypothermia had settled deeply into his bones, making the ordeal all the more harrowing.
Now aboard the Cymona Eagle, Saario is grateful to find himself safe, albeit still recovering. “I feel pretty good at the moment,” he noted, but he is keenly aware that medical attention is necessary. He plans to seek a doctor’s care as soon as the ship docks in Cape Town.
“My feet have been freezing for two months. They’re swollen from ankle to toe, a bit like bun dough,” he humorously remarked, painting a vivid picture of his condition. Saario has lost 18 kilos during his journey but remains hopeful about a swift recovery this time around. “I feel that my body will bounce back much quicker than after my last rowing challenge,” he added.
“There Would Be Cigarettes”
In a viral video making the rounds on social media, a visibly shaken Saario implores the crew of the Cymona Eagle for some alcohol, only to be informed that the ship maintains a strict alcohol-free policy. “This is a completely alcohol-free ship,” he reiterated, adding with a hint of resignation, “They said there would be cigarettes. Cigars are off-limits, but regular Marlboro is allowed.” Ultimately, Saario declined the cigarette offer, opting instead for the soothing relief of a hot bath.
“I thought some alcohol would warm me from the inside out,” he admitted. “I’m not much of a drinker, but in those moments, the thought of cognac or whiskey certainly seemed appealing.”
“Nerves of Steel”
While Saario fought for his life in the vast expanses of the South Atlantic, his family remained tense yet supportive back home in Finland. “They’ve stayed strong together through this,” he praised. “They all have nerves of steel.” Having previously navigated their own challenges during Saario’s prior Atlantic crossings, his wife and daughters have shown remarkable resilience.
“I suppose they’ve built up a kind of credit that allows them to handle anything now,” he reflected, a sense of pride evident in his voice.
As the Cymona Eagle makes its way toward sheltering shores, both Jari Saario and his loved ones prepare to embrace the warmth of reunion—a reminder of the strength that can arise even in the most threatening of circumstances.