The German Atlantic Ocean Rowing Fox
Jul 20, 2004 15: 05 EST
Erwin Rommel was known as a very cunning and brilliant tactician. His level-headed planning and carefully crafted objectives secured his place in history. But he never attempted to row across an ocean.
On Friday, July 16th, Andreas Rommel - the great grand nephew of the "Desert Fox" - set off from Cape Cod to become the first German to row across an ocean.
Unlike his great uncle, Andreas entered into his endeavor with little practical experience. According to Kenneth Crutchlow, director of the Ocean Rowing Society, Andreas' lack of experience doesn't really matter because "after a month at sea he'll know everything there is to know about ocean rowing."
Andreas is taking a little luck with him as well; his main sponsor is Partypoker.com. Given the statistics of a late season North Atlantic crossing, he will need all the luck he can get. Kenneth recommends all West to East North Atlantic rowers to leave by the end of May and aim for arrival on European shores before September. Before May iceberg dangers are quite high and come September the hurricane season begins off the coast of Great Britain, Spain, Portugal, etc. To date five Atlantic rowers were lost at sea after mid to late August, during hurricane season. Andreas took a gamble by leaving mid July.
Two of the three other Ocean Rowers are also looking at late arrivals. Anne Quemere is looking to be as late as October. Emmanuel Coindre, who has a very light boat, must break the world record to get in before hurricane season. Only the Pink Lady rowers, who shaved 1000 miles off the start point are looking to make it in on time.
Another risk that Andreas has to consider is getting hit by a larger boat, and out there every boat is larger than his. That is why it is recommended by the Ocean Rowing Society to carry the proper safety technology, which Andreas has. He is carrying an active radar reflector, which enlarges his appearance on radar screens of nearby boats; Inmarsat tracking device; 2 GPS; 2 sat phones; an IESM beacon; a VHF radio; and the oh-so-essential ARGOS beacon.
Andreas Rommel (Germany) plans to become the first German in history to row Atlantic W-E from Cape Cod (USA) to UK. He left on July 16th. At an average of 30 nautical miles a day it should take him about 100 days to reach Lands End, UK.
Image of Andreas Rommel leaving Cape Cod is copyright Allan Tannenbaum.
|
|
Feature Stories |
|
Latest News |
more news |
 |
Young sailor missing outside of Trinidad
Full Story
|
 |
Minoru Saito: Oldest around the world update
Full Story
|
 |
A new world speed sailing record: Ellen made it!
Full Story
|
 |
Vendee Globe 2005 Finish newsflash
Full Story
|
 |
Maud Fontenoy - another adventure has begun
Full Story
|
 |
Fedor Konyukhov: Declines Argos replacement on unassisted sail
Full Story
|
|
|
| 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 |
|
|
|
