HOME RUN FOR SOLO ATLANTIC OARSMAN

ADVENTURE Oarsman Suffolk, September 27, 2005

A Suffolk oarsman was today entering the final stages of a charity bid to become the youngest person to row solo across the Atlantic after more than four months at sea.

23-year-old Oliver Hicks, from Thorpeness, has already smashed the record for the slowest west-to-east Atlantic crossing after being dogged by unfavourable conditions.

The dedicated rower, who is raising funds for the Wiltshire-based charity Hope and Homes for Children, has already travelled more than 3,800 miles from New Jersey, USA, and hopes to arrive in Falmouth, Cornwall, in the next few days as he tackles the final 100 miles.

When he launched his Virgin North Atlantic voyage he hoped to break the current 62-day transatlantic rowing record, but has so far spent 122 days at sea.

The marathon effort now guarantees him the slowest title crossing as the previous record*, set by Frenchman Maud Fontenoy, was a total of 117 days.

The youngest person to cross the Atlantic is currently 29-year-old Emmanuel Coindre**, who made the trip in 2002.

Mr Hicks is using the voyage to raise money for Hope and Homes for Children which helps children worldwide who have nowhere to live due to war or disaster.

For more information about the work of the charity or to make a donation visit www.hopeandhomes.org