10 June 2006

At 1626 hours GMT (1126 hours local) on Saturday 10 June 2006, history was made when four courageous teams of four set off from New York Harbour at the start of the very first ever North Atlantic Ocean rowing race, the Shepherd Ocean Fours Rowing Race 2006.

On the morning of race start day, the marina was a hive of activity and emotion with competitors busily packing away sentimental keepsakes into their tiny boats and saying final goodbyes to their loved ones. Excitement, apprehension, adrenalin and the desire to get going were just some of the feelings and sensations clearly evident on the faces of the 16 competitors taking part.

At 1530 hours GMT (1030 hours local), the first of the rowing boats pushed off from the dockside, closely followed by the other three. Strong following winds and an ebbing tide meant that once all four boats had left the shelter of the marina mouth, entering in to the Hudson River they very quickly approached the start line set just off Liberty Island. It was impossible for the boats to hold station on the line and therefore, a running start was necessary.

At 1626 Hours GMT (1126 hours local), the Shepherd Ocean Fours Rowing Race flag onboard the official start boat and primary support vessel, ‘Sula’ was dropped by John Bennett, Senior Partner of race title sponsor, J & E Shepherd Chartered Surveyors, to indicate the start of this pioneering event. A coinciding sound signal was set off from race committee boat, Osprey skippered by Liberty Yacht Club member, Jim Chambers.

John Bennett, Senior Partner of J & E Shepherd Chartered Surveyors comments:
“Shepherd is pleased to be associated with these pioneers, who are crossing the North Atlantic Ocean in a boat that you are more likely to see on a millpond rather than battling the extreme rigours of the open sea”.

First across the start line was the first of two British Army Crews, Boat No. 4, Team Hesco crewed by Pete Rowlands, Mark Waterson, Charlie Martell and Ben Fouracre closely followed by Americas own, Boat No. 2, James Robert Hanssen, crewed by Jordan Hanssen, Brad Vickers, Dylan Le Valley and Greg Spooner.

British Boat’s, No. 7 – Team Sevenoaks and No. 3 – Yorkshire Warrior crossed the line in third and fourth positions.

With a strong following wind, the conditions on race start day were perfect for an exciting sprint start and the closely packed fleet hustling for pole position, rowed down the Hudson River and out in to open water at an average speed of 3.5 knots, escorted by the Committee Boat, Osprey and a New York Fire boat that sprayed water in celebration of this spectacle.

For every individual involved in this event, today has been a long time coming and the culmination of two years hard work and dedication towards succeeding in being the first to row from America in to main land UK. For Race Organisers, Woodvale Events Ltd this is a particularly momentous occasion being the first of a new generation of ocean rowing race in a new boat class known as the Woodvale Fours, designed by Woodvale Events specifically for the event.

Woodvale Events Managing Director, Simon Chalk comments:
“I have been so impressed by the very high standard of teams that we have participating in this years race and how well prepared they all are. 3,100 nm and approximately 55 days at sea now lay in front of the teams but every single one has an equal chance of winning the race and achieving a life long goal”.

For further information about the Shepherd Ocean Fours Rowing Race 2006 or to request high resolution photographs, please contact:

Teresa Page
Press Officer, Woodvale Events Ltd

Tel: +44 (0) 7917 081287
E-mail: teresa@woodvale-events.com
URL: www.oceanfoursrowingrace.com
URL: www.woodvale-events.com