ExWeb interview - Ollie Hicks: "I'm confident in my boat"
May 20, 2005 16: 46 EST
Less than 150 people have rowed across the Atlantic, and only 12 have rowed the Atlantic west to east. This May, 23 year old Oliver Hicks hopes to be the lucky 13th. Not only that, he aims to break the USA – Europe solo Atlantic rowing record (62 days). If he succeeds, he’ll also be the youngest person to row the Atlantic from west to east.
After spending a night in a British jail, and experiencing delays with the company in charge of shipping his boat to the U.S., Ollie Hicks has put all his problems behind him. He can now focus on the main issue: Rowing solo from New York to Falmouth, UK. Ollie stopped by the New York office this morning and ExplorersWeb got a chance to ask him some questions about his upcoming Atlantic crossing.
ExWeb: So, what was jail like?
Ollie: Boring! No, the police were okay. They let me go as quickly as possible. It could have been a lot worse; I was able to get on the next flight. It was a pretty stressful experience, though.
ExWeb: The NOAA has predicted an above-normal hurricane season this year. Hurricane season begins June 1st; you’ll be in the Atlantic then. How do you think that will affect you?
Ollie: I should be fine, as long as I don’t get caught in the middle of one. It might even make me go faster. The thing with a hurricane is, if you know it’s coming, you can prepare for it. Just tie everything down. I’m confident in my boat. I’ve been on the ocean in near-hurricane weather before, of course that was on a 70 foot global challenge boat.
ExWeb: How have things been in New Jersey so far?
Ollie: Great. I’ve been spending a lot of time with the Dutch guys (Ocean Fours rowing team). They’ve been helping me out a lot, giving me all their leftover food and gear and stuff. Right now they’re getting a tow out to New York.
ExWeb: What do you think of James “Tiny” Little’s achievement?
Ollie: Fantastic. 116 days? Fantastic.
ExWeb: So what are your plans for these final few days before you get started?
Ollie: Well, I’m getting the boat in the water this afternoon. Got to pack everything in, make sure everything’s level. I’d like to find a free tow out to New York! I hope to start my row on the 23rd, perhaps the 25th. Oh yeah, good luck to the Dutch guys!
Oliver Hicks plans to row the Atlantic W-E, from New York City, USA intending to reach England in 62 days or less, thereby breaking the USA-Europe solo Atlantic record. Oliver will become the youngest rower (23) to attempt the 3,000-mile crossing. His departure scheduled for May 23 2005.
Previously, Oliver Hicks has competed in the Marathon des Sables and the world’s longest kayak race, the Yukon River Quest. He first developed an interest in ocean rowing at age 16. Hicks will use an Atlantic challenge class rowing boat to (24.3 ft long).
Image courtesy of www.virginrow.com and the Ocean Rowing Society.
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