Charlie Pitcher made history by becoming the first solo competitor to win a multi class ocean rowing race (click to enlarge)
courtesy Charlie Pitcher, www.atlanticrowingrace09.com Roger Haines said he managed to get a shot of this dorado, which he named Daphne, and there appeared to be some other adults around the boat plus the pilot fish; 5 in total. Image sent over CONTACT 5.0 (click to enlarge)
Image by Roger Haines, www.ataleof2oceans.comLINKS
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Atlantic Rowing Race update: Charlie Pitcher won the Race
Posted: Mar 02, 2010 02:35 pm EST
After eight weeks at sea only one oarsman has made land and successfully completed the Atlantic Rowing Race.
Charlie Pitcher (UK) made history on February 25 by becoming the first solo competitor to win a multi class ocean rowing race.
There are still 58 competitors at sea. Today five crews were inside 500 nm to go, with QBE Insurance Challenger inside 200 nm, reported the Race Organizers.
Leading the field
Charlie, in his boat ‘JJ’ crossed the finish line at 20h17 GMT, in a race-winning time of 52 days 06 hours and 47 minutes after rowing 2548 nm, reported the Woodvale Race Organizers.
They added, “In doing so he has also set a new British record, having eclipsed Sam Knight's record by almost a week.”
The Atlantic rowing Race started on January 4, after a 29-day weather delay.
“Charlie initially led after the first day,” the Organizers said, “but was soon overtaken when bad weather put pay to the fleet’s progress with many crews, including Charlie, using their para-anchors to avoid losing ground to the finish.”
“However a week later Charlie was back at the front and continued to lead the fleet all the way to the finish line.”
Body got a knock
Charlie wrote in his latest dispatch, “It is five days since finishing which is the longest period I have rested my body from exercise for the last three years or more.”
“My finger joints are very sore and stiff. My lower back and knee joints are very sore and I can feel all the muscle groups contracting as they are haven't had to warm up and stretch all the time.”
He said he will be back in the gym in London next week “to start all over again”. He will also receive physiotherapy for the “knots” in his back.
Progress report
The Organizers latest report gave the figures for Day 57 (Mon Mar 1, 1330 - Tue Mar 2, 1330):
“They are good – with a total DMG of 1200 nm, an average of 40 nm per crew, a repeat of yesterday’s figures and an indication that the weather really has turned back in favor of the fleet.”
The Atlantic Rowing Race is a 2,548 nautical mile race which started from the port of San Sebastian, La Gomera, Canary Islands on Monday January 4, 2010 and finish anytime between 40 and 90 days later in Antigua, West Indies.
The Woodvale Race Organizers reported the following about possible records. “To be recognized as a record a row must be unsupported, that is to say that there is no physical contact or assistance to the boat from anyone other than from the rowers themselves.”
“The fours record stands at 36 days and 59 minutes, the doubles class record is 40 days 5 hours and 31 minutes and the solo record stands at 42 days 14 hours and 30 minutes, although the race record for a solo entry is just shy of 69 days. Crews in these categories will need to surpass an average of 70, 63 and 60 nautical miles per day respectively to claim a new record.”
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