First transatlantic rower to arrive in Antigua January 8

Team All Relatives which is expected to be the first
boat to arrive in Antigua.  Photo compliments Atlantic
Rowing Race 2005

Friday,  January 6, 2006

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua: The first rowing boat in the Wood-vale Events transatlantic “Row4Life” venture will arrive in Antigua on Sunday January 8, 2006, at the historic Nelson’s Dockyard.

The race began on November 30, 2005 in La Gomera, Canary Islands, Spain; however, Antigua was announced as the official finish port in August 2004.

Antigua was chosen by the organizers as the official finish port as a result of a number of key elements including accessibility by sea, marina facilities, and local support.

Simon Chalk, Managing Director of Wood-vale Events, in an earlier press release stated, “We’re absolutely delighted to be able to bring our world class prestigious event to Antigua. Our research to find the best possible finish location has been extensive and thorough, and after a number of competitive bids from the other Caribbean islands, we decided upon Antigua, as it provides everything we could possibly want from a race finish port.”

He continued, “Antigua has excellent facilities, character and historic links. The people of Antigua are fantastic to work with and fully embrace the ethos of the event.”

Minister of Tourism Harold Lovell will be on hand to welcome the first rower at a reception being organized by the Antigua Charter Yacht Club, on Sunday afternoon. 

Minister Lovell sees the event as a manifestation of the fact that Antigua and Barbuda is indeed the “Yachting center of the Caribbean”. “Such a partnership can only seek to forge friendship and goodwill among the international ocean rowing society and the people of Antigua and Barbuda, and I take this opportunity to share the hospitality of the our people and our wonderful harbors with the sailors,” he concluded.

Row4Life is aimed at raising 1 million pounds for the Royal Marsden Cancer Hospital and Tommy’s the baby charity fund. Tommy’s the baby charity funds a program of research, education and information to understand and prevent premature birth, miscarriage, and stillbirth, as well as promote the importance of good pregnancy health.

Already Rowers have encountered Force 8 winds as a result of Hurricane Epsilon in December, dangerous 50ft waves and an attack from a 12ft shark.

Antiguans and Barbudans are expected to converge on English Harbour on Sunday, January 8 and cheer the first rower to have executed the perilous 2,935-mile route to Antigua. 

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