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ExWeb interview - Atlantic Four: "It was all about persuading our wives"
May 25, 2005 16: 28 EST
Three years ago, the Atlantic Four team left Canada with their sights set on rowing across the ocean. After three weeks at sea, their boat’s rudder was ripped off during a storm, and they had to be picked up by a passing ship. This spring, the team is back in St. John’s, Newfoundland with a similar goal in mind: Rowing from Canada to Falmouth, England in less than 55 days. In a recent phone interview, team member Rob Munslow told ExplorersWeb that while the guys were up for the challenge, “It was all about persuading our wives.”
ExWeb: How’s the weather been in St. John’s?
Rob: Well, we saw the sun for the first time today! That lasted about a minute. The wind has been blowing right on shore, so there’s been no chance to push off. We’re just waiting for a good westerly.
ExWeb: Newfoundlanders are pretty serious about the sea. How’ve they been treating you guys?
Rob: Everyone’s been really friendly. I mean, this is an awesome place. It’s got a really romantic connection to the sea, like in the movie The Perfect Storm. Of course, we’ve gotten the standard jokes, like “Where’s the sail?” But we’ve really been enjoying ourselves.
ExWeb: No jail time so far?
Rob: No! (laughs) Although some of us are probably going that way soon. I made all the travel arrangements, so one of the guys from our team had a little trouble in customs. Every time the official asked him a question, he replied, “I don’t know.” Where are you staying? “I don’t know.” How long will you be here? “I don’t know.” It was about a half hour of interrogation.
ExWeb: What preparations are you making right now?
Rob: Basically we’re ready to go. We’ve got the boat in the water, and we’ve got everything we need. We’re just waiting for the weather, but based on the reports, I doubt we’ll leave until after the weekend.
ExWeb: What are your biggest concerns for the expedition?
Rob: Failure, I suppose, however it may come. We were here three years ago, so we know what to expect. Absolutely brutal weather. But we’ve done everything we can, and now it’s down to the weather gods to grant us a reasonable passage. After we got picked up in 2002, we were gutted. But all of us wanted to come back. It was all about persuading our wives!
The Atlantic Four team members are: Rob Munslow, George Rock, Nigel Morris, and Steve Dawson (with Garry Smith in reserve). The Grand Banks and the ice flows will work against the team, pushing them back towards the North American coast. The first week of rowing is most crucial, as this is when the team must escape those dangerous currents before reaching the Gulf Stream which will help to carry them home.
The 29 foot long boat will be faster than traditional ocean rowing boats because it has been designed with a radically streamlined hull that has a minimum wetted hull area. And since the team will be self-sufficient for the entire expedition, all supplies including food will be carried on board the boat. That doesn’t leave much room for shuffleboard.
Image of the crew with their boat “Naturally Best” courtesy of Vivaldi Atlantic Four and The Ocean Rowing Society.
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| Fedor - less than a week to go! Jun 3, 2005 | | Saito San - closing in on home and record! Jun 2, 2005 | | Atlantic Four: And they are off! Jun 1, 2005 | | Ollie - is anybody out there? May 31, 2005 | | ExplorersWeb Week in Review May 30, 2005 | | And they are off! May 27, 2005 | | Ellen gives transatlantic record a second battle May 27, 2005 | | Vagabond update - Polar bears, 200 candles and ice melting in Inglefieldbukta May 26, 2005 | | ExWeb interview - Atlantic Four: "It was all about persuading our wives" May 25, 2005 | | Iridium: "Invalid battery - matches found, 0" May 24, 2005 |
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