The Races...
Race 1 – to get to the start line
Race 2 – the actual race……….
The Atlantic Rowing Race is a challenging ocean rowing race from the Canary Islands to Antigua, a distance of approximately 2,500 nm (2,876 statute miles).
The race was founded by Sir Chay Blyth and early races were run by Challenge Business Ltd. In October 2003 the race was bought by Woodvale Events Ltd who now run it in addition to rowing races in other oceans.
The race was first held in 1997, and roughly every two years since. A total of just over 200 individuals have now completed the voyage.
From:
La Gomera, Canary Islands
To:
English Harbour, Antigua
Distance:
2,500 nm by the shortest route. Many teams will row much more than this due to currents/weather etc just to get across.
Route:
Up to the individual boats.
Other Teams:
It is expected 15 to 20 other teams will be competing.
Fastest Crossing:
Pairs - Ben Fogle and James Cracknell - Spirit of EDF Energy - 49 days, 19 hours and 8 minutes.
This is the fastest crossing into Antigua although there have been faster crossings from La Gomera, Canary Islands to Barbados.
The Boat:
Competitors compete either individualy, in pairs or fours in standard boats specifically designed for the event. The Pairs Boat is 7 metres long (23ft) with a beam (distance at the widest point) of 1.9 metres (6.2ft).
The Crossing:
Each team must be entirely self sufficient for the duration of the crossing. Any outside help or assistance, even of any emergency nature disqualifies the team. All supplies, including food, must be carried on board the boat. All boats carry a water desalinator, which turns salt water into drinking water. The cabin is cramped and typically one crew member will rest while the other rows. Typical shift patterns are 1.5 – 3 hours on/off continuously through the journey. There is no toilet on board and the procedure involved is affectionately known as “bucket and chuck it!”
The race starts as it means to go on. As teams row past the Canary Islands on the first night they pick up the "acceleration zone" where the wind is funnelled through the group of islands creating rough storm-like conditions and sea sickness and sleep deprivation begin to take their toll.
History:
The race was devised by Sir Chay Blyth who, in 1966, with John Ridgway, became the first people in the 20th century to row across the Atlantic. Blyth and Ridgway rowed west to east from Cape Cod to Ireland in a crossing that took 92 days.
There have been 5 previous races in 1997, 2001, 2003, 2005 & 2007. By no means all competitors finish although thankfully to date there have been no fatalities in any of the organised races.
