July 3, 2003 -- THE appreciable muscles of Theodore Rezvoy popped as he hauled on the oars of his 28-foot rowboat and said, "I'll see you in France or I'll see you in heaven." Rezvoy, 35, is a former soldier in the army of the Soviet Union. But first, second, third and last, he is a citizen of the Ukraine. "I'm going to dedicate the trip to the firefighters, police and people who died in the World Trade Center," said Teddy. But before leaving at 11:15 a.m. from Battery City Marina to row to Le Harvre, France, he said:"I am doing this for my country, a free country." His stepfather, Ken Crutchlow, said as Teddy pulled out toward the Statue of Liberty, "I am so proud of him. I'm sick and tired of seeing these so-called television adventure and survivor shows. A real adventure is when the outcome is totally unpredictable." Teddy perhaps got the adventure bug from Crutchlow. I first met Crutchlow in 1969, when, dressed in a pinstriped suit, bowler hat and umbrella, he hitchhiked around the world on a bet.   "The rules were, we started from the Thames Rowing Club with 10 pounds [around $30 back then], no borrowing, no flying, no stealing," Ken, 59, recalled. FRANCE OR BUST: Teddy Rezvoy embarks yesterday. - NYP: Michael Norcia

"In this age of painful political correctness, Teddy is also doing it for fun, at a time the PC people believe it's almost sinful to laugh out loud and have fun."

Amen, Ken. And for you, young Teddy, who's guts are made of gold, vaya con dios.