Gallagher Atlantic Row World Record Unlikely

Gallagher Atlantic Row World Record Unlikely
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PRESS RELEASE

New Zealander, Paul Gerritsen’s attempt to break the world record of 32 days for rowing the Atlantic Ocean with five British rowers received a setback late last week when the crew were hit by head seas that slowed the boat’s progress. At one point the crew began to go backwards, were forced to stop rowing and put out the sea anchor to minimise the effect of the weather as it attempted to send the crew back to their starting point.

“It felt like a floating torture chamber while rowing,” said an exhausted Gerritsen after spending 25 days at sea, “but I’d rather that than the helpless feeling of not being able to row and getting pushed backwards by the weather.”

That day the crew only made 12 nautical miles (23 km) towards their destination when their aim is to row at least 80 NM (148 km) a day. Relatively slow days of 60 NM (111 m) either side of the slowest day combined to compromise the chances of the crew breaking the record on board Titan.

The crew have 750 NM (1,389 km) to go to their destination in Barbados. Unfortunately, they have less than seven days left to break the record. To do so the crew will have to do nearly 110 NM (203 km) days for the rest of the journey. This is possible but only with perfect weather conditions.

ENDS

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