Preparation
The Atlantic-six team have been preparing for the challenge of breaking the Atlantic Ocean Rowing record for a long time now, both on and off the water.
The preparation has included an outing on the Thames, namely the Great River Race where the team used the race to experiment with a very different approach to rowing in an ocean rowing boat using four sweep oar positions. Sweep rowing has only ever been used once in Ocean Rowing by La Mondialle the current record holders.
The Atlantic-six team learnt a lot from their experiment on the Thames and have since reverted back to their original plan of three central sculling positions, which for the Oyster Shack Ocean Challenger give's the most effective and energy efficient approach. It also creates a much simpler and sustainable shift pattern, which in ultra distance challenges such as this is fundamental.
The Atlantic-six team from the start of the project have consistently challenged the 'standard' approach to Ocean Rowing, in boat design, crew selection, and overall strategy to name but a few.
The team hope to further test their innovative ideas and approach with rows around the Isle of Wight and from the mainland to the Scilly Isles. Watch this space for updates over the upcoming weeks.
(Last Updated: 20-02-2008)