Seattle team wins row across Atlantic Ocean

Four Seattle men won the Shepherd Ocean Fours Rowing Race today, paddling 2,863 miles across the Atlantic Ocean in 69 days, 23 hours and 18 minutes.

With an impressive lead of more than 250 nautical miles over their next competitor, their boat, the James Robert Hanssen, was crewed by four university friends from Seattle – Jordan Hanssen, Dylan Le Valley, Greg Spooner and Brad Vickers. They took off from New York Harbor, and crossed to Bishop's Rock, the southwesternmost point of Great Britain, in their 29-foot row boat in the Woodvale Fours class.

"This has been an amazing experience for us and we are all very emotional at the moment,'' said Spooner from the boat. "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.''

Having battled against the force of Tropical Depression Alberto early in the race, and strong northerly winds in the latter stages, the weather conditions during this inaugural race were less than favorable, resulting in the crew being unable to take the record for the fastest ever North Atlantic ocean rowing crossing. However, having crossed the race finish line, the foursome had another record in their sight.

They now plan to row the remaining 65 nautical miles in to Falmouth unaided to claim a new record – the first ever ocean rowing crew in history to row unaided from mainland USA to mainland Britain.

"The Shepherd Ocean Fours Rowing Race 2006 has been a closely fought race right from the outset,'' said Simon Chalk, the Woodvale Events Ltd managing director: "However, the rowing prowess and strength of these four young Americans has clearly shone through. Their dedication, teamwork and desire to succeed, has proved beyond all doubt to be a winning formula and as a fellow ocean rower, I am over the moon to be able to congratulate these amazing sportsmen on this most spectacular achievement."

With 65 nautical miles still to row, it is expected that the James Robert Hanssen will finish at the National Maritime Museum in Falmouth on Sunday, where numerous proud family members and friends will be waiting to greet them.

Four other teams had yet to reach Bishop's Rock. For updates and a team blog, see www.oarnorthwest.com.