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Dartmouth's Atlantic Challenge originally planned for July, 2005, and
now brought forward to January, 2004, could see the four-man team set a
new world record, writes Hilary Bastone. The crew of four Dartmouth men,
Jason Hart, Yorkie Lomas, Philip Langman and Shaun Barker, had
originally entered the race for four-oared crews due to row from New
York to Plymouth but for a variety of reasons the crew switched to the
Ocean Rowing Society 2004 Atlantic Rowing Regatta due to start from San
Sebastian on the island of La Gomera in the Canary Islands on January 20
next year.
This race will provide the crew with the opportunity to become the first
ever four man crew to row an Ocean of the world and in the process
establish a new world record.
Fifteen crews, mainly pairs and singles, are entered for the world's
acclaimed toughest race which will finish 2,900 miles from La Gomera in
Port St Charles, Barbados.
The Atlantic has always been a challenge to both sailors and rowers with
Norwegians Garboe and Samuelson the first rowers to cross the Ocean in
1886. There have been many famous crossing since and the current record
stands at 42 days set by New Zealanders Phil Stubbs and Rob Hamill in
1998.
Jason Hart, a 30 year-old who works for Interfish and a county rugby
player; Yorkie Lomas, a 35 year-old local builder and captain at
Dartmouth Rowing Club; Philip Langman, a 28 year-old marine engineer,
local club rower and cyclist; and Shaun Barker, a 24 year-old Sifam
worker and local club rower; will be rowing a new boat designed and
built by Rowsell & Morrison Limited of Exmouth which is 7.3 metre in
length.
The prototype, launched in August, 2002, was rowed across the Atlantic
by the Ukrainian Theodore Rezvoy in 46 days. This boat can be modified
for solo, double and fours rowers.
By taking the earlier option the cost of the venture has more than
halved to £35,000-£40,000 but the sponsorship sum has to be raised in a
much shorter timescale.
Local hotelier Nigel Way of the Royal Castle Hotel in Dartmouth,
Interfish and Dartmouth Golf & Country Club have already put up
sponsorship but the crew are seeking many more sponsors and helpers, and
indeed a major sponsor.
Anyone wishing to help can telephone Jason on 07966 901238 or Shaun on
07766242256 or just email
atlanticchallenge.dartmouth@virgin.net
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