The world-famous Queen’s Row Barge, Gloriana, will lead the seven competing boats cross the line at the start of their epic 2,000-mile race around Britain.
Gloriana – a £1million replica of King Henry VIII’s historic row barge and star of the Queen’s Jubilee Pageant – will be under the watchful eye of coxswain Malcolm Knight who holds the record for sculling non-stop the length of the Thames.
He says: “It takes a certain type of person to take on the challenge of rowing non-stop around Britain. I wish them all well.”
*The start of GB Row 2013 will be the first time Gloriana’s 18 oars have been manned by a crew from the Royal Naval Reserve. Gloriana was provided by Lord Sterling, Vice Admiral of the Royal Naval Reserve.