4 July 2006

After only 24 days of the Shepherd Ocean Fours Rowing Race 2006, Boat #2 – James Robert Hanssen crewed by Americans, Jordan Hanssen, Dylan Le Valley, Brad Vickers and Greg Spooner is the first boat to cross the half way mark in this epic test of strength and endurance.

On 10 June 2006, four courageous teams of four set out from New York Harbour, USA on a once in a lifetime adventure, to row 2,863 nautical miles across the North Atlantic Ocean to Falmouth, UK.

Competing in identical 29ft long purposely designed and built ocean rowing boats, known as the Woodvale Fours class and with a set of Event Rules governing a list of mandatory equipment, the crews are competing on level terms to win the first ever North Atlantic Ocean Rowing Race and to be the first ocean rowing crew ever to row unaided from America in to mainland UK.

The Shepherd Ocean Fours Rowing Race is one of the toughest endurance races to have ever taken place and after only 24 hours, the first crew were forced to withdraw due to boat damage caused by the pounding North Atlantic sea and the extreme weather conditions. Three days later, the remaining crews were hit by the full force of Tropical Storm Alberto, which brought winds of 50 knots, huge swells and torrential rain. This was a humbling time for these 12 brave men and the experience can only be likened to being whirled around in A washing machine whilst being powerless to do anything to aid the situation.

After less than 12 hours, Tropical Storm Alberto moved on to cause destruction else where and the three crews were left to clean up, repair any damage to their boats and equipment and then pick up the oars again and continue rowing towards their end destination.

Three weeks later and Seattle based Boat #2 – James Robert Hanssen crosses the half way mark in record breaking time of 24 days. However, only a short distance behind and hot on their heels are the two British Army crews, Boats #3 – Yorkshire Warrior crewed by Paul Tetlow, Carl Powell, Mick Cataldo & Andrew Unwin and #4 – Team Hesco powered by Commando Joe, crewed by Pete Rowlands, Mark Waterson, Charlie Martell & Ben Fouracre.

There have only been 9 successful ocean rows from the USA, across this route and the current record is 55 days set by the very first crew to attempt this crossing, George Harboe and Gabriel Samuelsen back in 1896.

Woodvale Events Managing Director, Simon Chalk comments:
“We are over the moon with the fantastic progress of all three crews over the first half of this Race and as they now begin to gain some assistance from the following Gulf Stream, their progress over the second half of the race should get steadily quicker.

“As the boats progress, you can see routing tactics now coming in to play as the American crew take a more Southerly route with the aim of picking up the Gulf Stream quicker, whilst the two British crews opt for the shorter, more direct route.

“There may only be three crews competing in this event but with as little as 30nm splitting the fleet from front to back, it is destined to provide the most exciting finish yet and I for one cannot wait to greet each team in to Falmouth and to congratulate them on a totally amazing achievement”.

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