Atlantic Rowing Challenge in support of Breast Cancer Care
ARC Masthead

The race route took the two rowers 2,935 miles (2,552 nautical miles) across one of the world's largest oceans, from the Spanish island of La Gomera, to Antigua in the Caribbean.

It's a well established ocean rowing route and known as the Columbus route. It is generally agreed by those in the know that it's a good one to complete as your first ocean row! Official races started over this route in 1997 and have continued regularly since then.

 

Interactive Route Map

You can see Rachel and Lin's route using the interactive map above. On a regular basis their location was added, using precise latitude and longitude values. By the end of their amazing journey, the map shows the actual path they took across the Atlantic from La Gomera to Antigua.

How to use the interactive map:

  • Click and drag the map, or use the navigator mini map (top right) to move around
  • Use the navigator mini map's + and – zoom buttons, or the slider, to zoom in and out of the map
  • Click the 'Latest Boat Location' icons to launch a Google Map page (uses satellite imagery)
  • The navigator zoom will determine the zoom amount on the Google Map page you arrive at
  • If you get lost, try refreshing this page to reset the map
  • Have fun!

Travelling East to West

The route and time of the race normally attract plenty of questions from supporters, so we've listed those most frequently asked below to help explain:

How far is the race?

The race is 2,935 miles or 2,552 Nautical miles. By either measurement, it's a really long way!

How long did it take?

It took 76 days, 11 hours and 12 minutes. The rowers expected to be at sea for between 70 and 100 days. The current British Women's record is 75 days and they had hoped to beat this, but it took just a bit longer.

Why does the race start in Winter?

The race start of 2nd December was carefully chosen to coincide with the end of the hurricane season. Hurricanes start in and travel along the exact latitudes of the race route and are best avoided. That said, the team did expect to experience storms on the way and the 2005 race struggled through 5 tropical storms.

Won't it be cold in the Atlantic?

Most people's experience of the Atlantic is based on chilly sea side holidays in the UK. However, the race route travels much further South from the Canaries to the Caribbean and one of the major issues this brings is the heat. Temperatures regularly reach over 35 degrees and can get up to 40+ degrees inside the cabins. However, cabins are insulated to try and keep as cool as possible and solar powered (with water activated shut off) fans are installed at both ends of the boat.

Guin Batten

Message of Suppport

"Chance it at your peril, treat it with respect and it will let you pass across its surface.Wishing you all the best in your endeavour. Pull hard. Guin Batten"

Guin Batten - Silver medallist, Womens Quad, Sydney Olympics


Make a Donation