Seattle team wins first cross-Atlantic rowing race

Reported here:

Today (Friday 18 August 2006), four men from Seattle, USA in their boat, the James Robert Hanssen became the first crew in the Shepherd Ocean Fours Rowing Race 2006 to triumphantly cross the finish line, ending a voyage of the most epic proportions.

Sixty nine days previously, four courageous teams of four set off from New York Harbour, USA to embark on a unique adventure, to row 2,863 nautical miles across the North Atlantic Ocean to Falmouth, UK, in the worlds first ever North Atlantic Ocean Rowing Race. Competing on equal terms in purposely designed and built 29ft long ocean rowing boats known as the Woodvale Fours class, the teams have been racing against each other to be the first to cross the finish line, in the fastest possible time.

With an impressive lead of over 250 nautical miles, Boat #2 – James Robert Hanssen crewed by four university friends from Seattle, USA – Jordan Hanssen, Dylan Le Valley, Greg Spooner and Brad Vickers crossed the race finish line, a line of longitude from Bishop Rock Lighthouse (at 06 26.74W), today at 1444 hours GMT (1544 Hours BST) in a total crossing time of 69 days, 23 hours and 18 minutes.

Crew Member, Greg Spooner comments from the boat:
“This has been an amazing experience for us and we are all very emotional at the moment. This project has involved many more people than just the four of us and we are incredibly grateful for all the support of our family and friends”.

More info here. Initial report here.