The world’s leading marine distress company, Chemring Marine, is sponsoring the oldest team ever bidding to row across the Atlantic.
The Corinthians team, Elliot Dale (54), Chris Walters (52), Brian Fletcher (58) and Tony Short (67) are aiming to cross the ocean in around 50 days or less in December’s grueling race – and raise £60,000 for charity. The team, from Dorset and Devon, has a combined age of 231 years, 54 years more than the current oldest victors.
Tony says the team’s experience is a real asset. “Age is an advantage in that the challenge is more of a mental challenge than a physical one. Out on the open ocean, a wise, well-adjusted head is more than a match for youthful enthusiasm.”
Chemring Marine has donated a full set of Pains Wessex marine distress signals to the Corinthians, which each team must have as part of its compulsory race safety equipment.
Andrew Pocock, Corinthians Team Co-Ordinator, says, “Race rules stipulate each team must carry a full set of flares suitable for ocean race conditions. In the event of an emergency full safety equipment is essential. We approached Pains Wessex based upon recommendation and our own knowledge of Pains Wessex’s quality and reliability.”
The Corinthians Atlantic Challenge 2011 team are all members of the Lyme Regis Cornish Pilot Gig Rowing Club and row competitively for Lyme Regis in Regattas and the Cornish Pilot Gig World Championships in the Scilly Isles. They have previously taken part in several extreme sporting challenges and so readily agreed to the Atlantic Challenge.
The team has been training since early 2010 and devised a varied fitness programme, including sea rowing, circuit training, running, cycling and using rowing machines.
The race starts from La Gomera in the Canaries on 4 December (weather permitting) and ends at Barbados, a distance of 3,000 miles (2,500 nautical). The current record is 39 days 12 hours. The team’s new Woodvale, carbon fibre, ocean rowing boat ‘Spirit of Corinth’ has cost £60,000 with other expenses bringing the total to around £100,000, which it is raising through sponsorship and fundraising. Team members are making up any shortfall.
In addition, the Corinthians are hoping to raise £60,000 for two charities, the British Heart Foundation, because it has helped family members, and regional charity ShelterBox, which responds to natural disasters. For more details, go to www.spiritofcorinth.co.uk.
Chemring Marine is the world’s leading supplier of SOLAS, MED & USCG-approved marine distress signals to commercial and leisure marine markets. It is based in Fareham, UK, and is part of the Chemring Group PLC.
Chemring Marine’s comprehensive range of Pains Wessex products has been helping to save lives for more than 100 years and is specified by the world’s navies, merchant fleets, fishing vessels, rescue services, airlines and leisure craft. The company is at the forefront of campaigning for improved global marine safety regulations, including introducing standardised rules on replacing dated safety products.