ROB HAMILL

THE PRESS

The Press (Canterbury, New Zealand); 10/31/1998

Hamill dreams of more Atlantic suffering

WELLINGTON -- Less appealing than ``whipping yourself with barbed wire'' was how one prominent Wellington businessman described Rob Hamill's first proposed trans-Atlantic row.

Hamill went elsewhere for sponsorship, did it anyway, and won.

And now, despite vivid memories of painful bottom rashes and moments of madness from last year's race, the 34-year-old plans to do it again in 2001.

The obvious question is why?

The race -- which Hamill and Aucklander Phil Stubbs started in Tenerife just over a year ago -- cost the Hamilton rower his job, put stress on his private life, and endangered his health.

But he just cannot leave it alone.

``The thought of the race occurring next time and me not being in it, battling away there . . . I'd end up biting my fingers off, chewing my nails. I just couldn't bear the thought of not being into it again,'' Hamill said.

``There are things I have in mind for after the next race that could be really significant for New Zealand as a tourist centre. I've got more dreams.

``That's what created this race for us, for me in particular. I found a partner and we became this incredible team.''

Hamill heard about the first trans-Atlantic race during the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, where he failed to achieve his long-time dream -- a gold medal.

It gave him a new goal. ``It changed my life,'' he said.

Since he got back from Barbados last December Hamill has made a living telling his story at corporate functions, all the while making contacts for the 2001 race.

He and Stubbs will have new partners, although Hamill stresses it will still be a team effort. ``The most important thing is that we get a New Zealand boat across the line first,'' he said. Stubbs, who competes in surfboats for the Titahi Bay surf lifesaving club, has teamed up with fellow Aucklander Steve Westlake.

Hamill has yet to find a buddy. ``I've not been too proactive,'' he said.

``I've had a couple of offers, but I'm waiting for someone to sell themselves to me. It's not just the rowing, it's building the boat, raising the funds -- the whole package.''

He admitted that relations with Stubbs became strained during the record-breaking, 41-day voyage.

``We didn't know each other beforehand and we're not natural friends. But we have a healthy respect. He's a tough bugger and I needed someone like that. We were ultra, ultra-competitive.''

Hamill laughs at a suggestion he should perhaps take his girlfriend, who has seen little of him in the past two years.

``There was a boyfriend and girlfriend team last year. They came second to last,'' he recalled.

``The mother ship caught up with them one day and there was no-one rowing. They were caught in the act -- can you believe it? It was the mid-Atlantic, these guys turn up and the boat's rocking around.''--NZPA

Supplied by New Zealand Press Association