HAMPSHIRE yachts-woman Lia Ditton has been hit by monstrous seas in an epic rowing race across the Atlantic Ocean.

The 29-year-old, who swapped sails for oars to compete in the 3,000-mile Woodvale Atlantic Rowing Challenge, reported waves of more than 16ft which have tossed her 23ft ocean rowing boat around.

Lia, who is racing with Cambridgeshire police detective Mick Birchall, set off from La Gomera in the Canary Islands on January 4 bound for Antigua.

The pair are currently lying eighth in the 30-boat fleet with about 1,900 miles to go.

Lia said: “These waves come out of nowhere with no warning and are at least double the height and speed of the six to eight-foot waves that we have been getting.

“You are rowing along quite happily and the first that you know is you hear a loud rushing sound like a train approaching.

“This is quickly followed by an enormous wall of water rushing towards the stern of the boat.

“The wave gets so close to the back of the boat that it blocks out all other view and appears as if will crash right over you.

“At the last minute the stern of the boat starts to rise until the whole boat is rapidly lifted physically upward at an angle that feels like nearly vertical.

“As the oar reaches the top of the wave it seems to hang there for a couple of seconds then slowly at first followed by rapid acceleration hurtles down into the huge trough behind only then to be picked up by the following wave and catapulted skyward again.

“All this in pitch darkness and without warning. Scary yet exhilarating!”

Lia yesterday confirmed her entry into the Barcelona World Race, her first round-the-world yacht race, sailing with 28-year-old Phil Sharp.