Oliver Hicks

BRITON LAUNCHES ATLANTIC ROWING RECORD ATTEMPT

By Community Newswire reporter

SEA Row Suffolk, 30/5/2005, 12:02pm
A 23-year-old British oarsman today launched a bid to become the youngest and fastest person to row solo across the north Atlantic from New Jersey to Cornwall.

Oliver Hicks, from Thorpeness, set off from New Jersey in the US at around 10.30am local time (3.30pm BST) on the 3,000-mile crossing, and hopes to reach Falmouth ahead of the current 62-day record.

Mr Hicks hopes the trip will raise substantial funds for the Hope and Homes Children's charity, which helps young people worldwide made homeless by war or disaster.

Less then 150 people have successfully rowed across the Atlantic, with only 12 completing the west-east trip.

The oarsman, who has been planning the epic row since he was 13-years- old, said he had chosen a route which would allow him to cross the ocean as quickly as possible. Family members waved him off on his marathon row in perfect weather.

Before leaving from the Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club in New Jersey, he said :``I will be hitching a lift on the north-eastern side of the current and winds which will assist my passage to the UK."

The record-breaking attempt is being sponsored by Virgin Atlantic and company chairman, Sir Richard Branson, who wished the oarsman all the best on his adventure.

"I remember fondly my first boat adventure and I can relate to the challenges Oliver will face on his journey," he said.

Weather permitting, Mr Hicks will row non-stop for around 14 hours a day, stopping only to eat and sleep. Living on dehydrated ready meals, he will make more than 7,000 strokes a day and faces extreme cold, severe blisters and hand cramps.

His Atlantic-class rowing boat is a self-contained vessel capable of carrying two men, and has made the crossing twice already.

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