It seems ocean rowing and Victron Energy are meant for each other. Presently there are two Victron Energy equipped boats that we know of rowing the oceans of the world. There might be more – but these are exciting times as these two in particular are set to achieve their separate and incredibly challenging goals in the coming days.
The Coxless Crew
Victron Energy and Victron distributors Barden UK Limited are proud sponsors of the The Coxless Crew team and now after spending 10 months at sea this all female British rowing team are set to break records with their arrival into Cairns, Australia, as the first ever female team and the first ever team in a four-person boat to row the Pacific.
This gruelling 8,446 miles journey from San Francisco to Cairns in Australia has not been an easy task, with their adventure seeing the women battle heavy storms, ginormous waves and food rationing, as well as encountering flying fish, humpback whales and shark – all in a 29ft, bright pink rowing boat called Doris.
The Coxless Crew are expected to arrive in Cairns on Friday 22nd January, (weather dependent). Last time we looked there were only 113 nm to go: http://coxlesscrew.com/where-is-doris/
The images above are courtesy of Losing Sight of Shore. In fact Emmy Award Winning documentary filmmaker and TV Producer Sarah Moshman will release a documentary with just that title in 2016. In the meantime we all wait with baited breath for the arrival of Doris and The Coxless Crew in Cairns. Rest assured we’ll post a blog as soon as we know more.
To read previous blogs and learn more of The Coxless Crew’s journey see: https://www.victronenergy.com/blog/?s=coxless+crew
Ocean Reunion
Victron Energy distributor Energy Solutions are proud sponsors of the Ocean Reunion team who continue to lead the race in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge. The race started on December 15th 2015, with 26 teams taking part. Supported charities are Teenage Cancer Trust and Cystic Fybrosis.
The competitors are rowing 3,000 nautical miles from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Antigua, with the leaders anticipated to arrive this weekend or early next week.
This race is considered the world’s toughest rowing race. Participants typically row two hours on, two hours off, 24 hours per day. The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge is renowned for its treacherous conditions and more people have been into space than have rowed across the Atlantic!
Competitors burn around 8,000 calories per day and lose around 20% of their body weight over the duration of the race. They have been enduring 40ft waves, tropical storms, sleep deprivation, sweltering heat and the psychological stresses of living and working in such a dangerous and unpredictable environment.
Victron Energy equipment onboard Ocean Reunion includes solar charge regulators, gel batteries and battery monitors.
Conclusion
Whilst Victron Energy cannot claim to have been instrumental in the success of these two incredible teams and their challenges to date, we are naturally delighted to be associated with all concerned and wish them every success in these final miles.
As the Coxless Crew say: “Our vision is to inspire others to reach their potential, push through their boundaries and meet and overcome the challenges that life throws at them.”
We hope this short blog inspires you to do the same…
