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ROUND BRITAIN ROWERS SET NEW WORLD RECORD
July 4 2005
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FOUR intrepid oarsmen have set a new world record by becoming the first people ever to row non-stop around mainland Britain.
The GB Row Challenge crew completed the 2,000 mile journey crossing the finishing line at 11.15am in a time of 26 days 21 hours 14 minutes to earn their place in the Guinness World Records Book.
Despite being hit by force eight gales and fifty foot waves, capsized by a freak wave which broke two oars and even running aground, they managed to row an incredible 70 miles a day in their 23-feet-long boat, Outward Bound. |
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The crew – three Grenadier Guardsmen, Lt William de Laszlo, 26, Lt Ben Jesty, 25 and Sgt James Bastin, 35, and company director Will Turnage, 25 – crossed the finishing line at London’s Tower Bridge today/yesterday (Monday).
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The crew – three Grenadier Guardsmen, Lt William de Laszlo, 26, Lt Ben Jesty, 25 and Sgt James Bastin, 35, and company director Will Turnage, 25 – crossed the finishing line at London’s Tower Bridge today/yesterday (Monday).
Non-stop circumnavigation of Britain has never been attempted before in a rowing boat. The journey is almost as long as Atlantic crossing, and according to the Ocean Rowing Society is more dangerous.
During their 26 days at sea the crew, who are hoping to raise £1million for charity, tackled rip tides and strong winds that at times propelled them backwards.
The crew carried all their own food and water in the boat, which weighed nearly two tons when they left London at 2pm on June 7. The survived on army rations and cold water. In less than a week they had reached Land’s End but two days later they were hit by force eight winds and mountainous seas in the southern approaches of the Irish Sea.
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For two weeks the sun never shone, which resulted in the crew being rationed to one litre of water a day. Because of the lack of sunshine the boat’s solar panels could not produce enough power properly work the desalination unit, which turned sea water into drinking water.
Last Wednesday (June 29) the boat tipped the boat over in Scarborough Bay. The starboard oars acted as stabilisers, preventing the boat completely turning turtle. Both oars were smashed by the power of the 10-feet-high wave.
And on Sunday (July 3) battling against a force five headwind and strong tide they attempted a short-cut across the notorious Maplin Sands. But the gamble failed when the receding tide left them high and dry on a sandbank for five hours.
Three of the crew are experienced rowers but Sgt Bastin, from Dursely, Gloucestershire, had never rowed a boat before joining the crew in training two months ago.
Skipper Lt de Laszlo, is married and comes from London. Ben Jesty is from Highgate, north London. Will Turnage comes from Lymington, Hants.
As well as setting a new world record, the crew hope to raise £1million for charity. They are supporting The Outward Bound Trust and the Bud Flanagan Fund for leukaemia research.
You can also make a donation to their two chosen charities, The Outward Bound Trust and the Bud Flanagan Fund for leukaemia research by clicking here, or call 01732 520 111
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The Duke of Edinburgh, patron of the Outward Bound Trust and Colonel-in-Chief of the Grenadier Guards said:” The circumnavigation of Britain by four oarsmen is a remarkable achievement. It required exceptional courage, determination and team work.
“I hope it will encourage all those who are taking their first steps in adventurous pursuits through Outward Bound courses to overcome novel challenges.”
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Sir Chay Blyth, a member of the first team to row the Atlantic paid tribute to their efforts. He said: “"I’ve sailed round Britain twice in the Two Handed Round Britain and Ireland Race and well know the hazards in a yacht, to do it in a rowing boat is quite fantastic. A great feat of endurance and tenacity. Very many congratulations you must be justly proud and so you should be.”
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Support GB Row Challenge and help them raise £1Million for charity
Every penny counts !
 Click here to Donate
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