Josh Taylor, Alan Morgan, James Plumley and Gavin Sheehan rowed from Mersea Island near Colchester, north towards Felixstowe before heading out into the North Sea.

Alan said: “It went extremely well. Although this was our first time on the boat as a crew, old team habits soon kicked in and things ran like clock work.

“While using a drogue and para-anchor are new to us, we have all grown up on boats- so it wasn’t a hard to come to terms with the new equipment.

“The day before we set off we held a charity night at our local sailing club – Dabchicks Sailing Club – where we raised over one thousand pounds in one night.”

Our scrutineer Phil Pring inspected Hallin Marine II, following her 110 nautical mile sea trial over Easter and passed her and her crew fit to compete in GBRow 2013 in June. Read more about the trial on Team Hallin’s page.

Sophie Hosking launches Hallin Marine 2

Hallin Marine 2 was officially launched last week by skipper David Hosking’s daughter Sophie, gold medal rower from the London Olympics.

After pouring champagne over the bow of the double-cabined, 24-four-feet long ocean racing boat, Sophie – winner with Kat Copeland of the women’s double lightweight sculls – admitted rowing round Britain does not appeal to her at all.

Sophie, 27, said: “I think he’s nuts in the nicest possible way! You wouldn’t catch me doing that but it’s his dream and I’ll be supporting him…from dry land.”

Gold medallist Sophie joined David, from Wimbledon along with his crew, Neil Ward, 47, Julian Bellido and Stuart Chamberlyne on a training exercise in Hallin Marine 2 on the River Thames at Shepperton.

Falklands veteran David, 58, said: “I’ve been around the coast about 20 times in Naval ships and I know just how bad it can be. Once off Cape Wrath in the north of Scotland we were hit by 110 knot winds!

“But if we get good weather the record can be broken.”

Check out more videos of teams on YouTube GBRow 2013

Celtic longboat rowers Sam, 34, (left) and Ian, 43, (lower left) are joining Heather Rees-Gaunt and Karl Steans in the Oarsome Adventures attempt to become the fastest crew to row non-stop around Great Britain.

This weekend (March 8 and 9) a sports psychologist, nutritionist and a professor of bio-medicine from Aberystwyth University will begin working with the crew to give them the best chance of doing well in the gruelling race to beat the world record of 26 days.

The professor of bio-medicine will study how the crew of one woman and three men move around the boat and examine their rowing techniques.

While, the nutritionist and sports psychologist will advise on getting the maximum advantage from their food and mental preparation.

Skipper Heather says: “Our new team will be three men and Wonder Woman. Soooo excited now. Sam and Ian are experienced Celtic longboat rowers and have already crossed the Irish Sea. We can’t wait for the race to start!”

Sophie Hosking launches Hallin Marine 2

Hallin Marine 2 was officially launched last week by skipper David Hosking’s daughter Sophie, gold medal rower from the London Olympics.

After pouring champagne over the bow of the double-cabined, 24-four-feet long ocean racing boat, Sophie – winner with Kat Copeland of the women’s double lightweight sculls – admitted rowing round Britain does not appeal to her at all.

Sophie, 27, said: “I think he’s nuts in the nicest possible way! You wouldn’t catch me doing that but it’s his dream and I’ll be supporting him…from dry land.”

Gold medallist Sophie joined David, from Wimbledon along with his crew, Neil Ward, 47, Julian Bellido and Stuart Chamberlyne on a training exercise in Hallin Marine 2 on the River Thames at Shepperton.

Falklands veteran David, 58, said: “I’ve been around the coast about 20 times in Naval ships and I know just how bad it can be. Once off Cape Wrath in the north of Scotland we were hit by 110 knot winds!

“But if we get good weather the record can be broken.”

Check out more videos of teams on YouTube GBRow 2013

David Hosking, the father of Sophie who won gold in the ladies lightweight double sculls at London 2012, is competing this summer in GB Row 2013 to attempt to beat the 26-day record for rowing non-stop around the British mainland.

On Tuesday March 26, Sophie and David will hold a photo call and video session for the media at Walton-on-Thames rowing club, Sunbury Lane, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey KT12 2JA.

Retired naval officer David will have his 24-foot long boat Hallin Marine 2 on the water for the media call.

For more details or to book interviews with Sophie and David Hosking: Contact: Mike Ridley at GB Row Challenge T 01474 85 45 45 (m) 07836 376 943 Email: news@gbrowchallenge.co.uk

Charlene and Adam – Team Endeavour – have bagged No1 as their racing number (see picture, right).

Race Director Chris Usbone said: “The boat presented very well with a small snag list needing to be completed before the Independent Race Scrutineer – Phil Pring, gives the mixed pair entry clearance to start the Race.”

Charlene Ayres and her boyfriend Adam Lewis will be hoping to become the first mixed pair ever to row around mainland Britain when the race starts on June 1.

Leven, with an eight-man crew will be competing in GBRow 2013, starting at Tower Bridge on Saturday, June 1.