HOSPISCARE

Peter Hogden and Neil Hitt in Tenerife

Neil and Peter leaving Tenerife

Tuesday was a very busy day at port St Charles with three boats finishing in the space of twelve hours. Fifth across the finishing line were brothers Eammon and Peter Kavanagh from Arklow in Ireland. They rowed into the marina at Port St Charles at 1301 GMT, and earned a place in the record books as the first brothers ever to have rowed across the Atlantic.

A third Kavanagh brother, Matthew was on board 3Com and followed their progress throughout the night as they rowed up from the southern end of the island. Eammon was the first smoker to finish and took great pleasure in smoking his first cigarette in several weeks as he had run out half way across the Atlantic.

It was neck and neck for sixth and seventh places in the race. Toc H Phoenix and Hospiscare finished within an hour of each other early yesterday evening. Steve Isaacs and Mark Stubbs crossed the line at 2130 GMT and Neil Hitt and Peter Hogden followed at 2219 GMT.

Members of the Barbados fire brigade were in Port St Charles to welcome the Toc H team in as were Steve’s mum and Mark’s wife and two daughters. One of Mark’s daughters said: ‘You can have a lie-in now daddy!’

Peter and Neil arrived in darkness and Peter’s first words to rescued rower Carl Clinton, here to greet partner John Searson, were: ‘There is a lot of water out there!’. Finding land legs after being at sea for 58 days is always difficult and Neil decided that the best way to cope is to reggae dance his way around.

Neil Hitt

Rowing experience ........ 12 years ,competed for England in 1996 in the Double Sculls

Distance Rowed ............ 45,000 miles

Sailing Experience .......... Very little



Peter Hogden

Rowing experience ........ 30 years ,National veteran champion in Single and Double Sculls 1992                                        and 1994. Coached Neil to England selection during 1996.

Distance Rowed ...........  80,000 miles

Sailing Experience ......... 20 years .Yachtmaster certificate holder.



The most important thing on a race of this length is the compatibility of the crew. The amount of space on the boat is equivalent to that of a large estate car. Could you spend 2 days in the car with someone never mind 2 months. We believe that we have the correct match of experience and youth ,along with a well founded friendship and trust to enable us to excel in this event.