OA News
Turner Twins' Transatlantic Triumph
On 5th December 2011, OAs Ross and Hugo Turner, along
with Loughborough University friends Adam Wolley and Greg
Symondson, began their row across the Atlantic Ocean in 'the
world's toughest rowing race' in aid of Spinal Research. Reaching
the finish line on 16 January 2012, the boys set two world records
- youngest four man crew to have rowed the Atlantic and the first
twins to have rowed any of the world's oceans. hey were also the
first 4-man crew to reach the finish line, finishing third overall in a
time of 41 days, 23 hours and 34 minutes.
he Woodvale Atlantic Rowing Race was established in 1997, and
since that date just over 200 people have completed the punishing
crossing; far fewer than those who have reached the summit of
Everest or experienced the weightlessness of space. he crew
attempted this epic feat to raise funds for Spinal Research, a charity which finances research into spinal cord injury, following
Hugo's recovery from a broken neck whilst studying at King's.
Starting in the Spanish Canary Islands and finishing in the
Caribbean Island of Barbados, the race is 2,552 nautical miles (2,935
regular miles). When bad weather and adverse conditions are
factored in, most teams will row well over 3,000 miles during their
Atlantic crossing, taking between two and three months. he crew
rowed in a 29 ft open hull, transatlantic rowing boat specifically
designed for making the Atlantic crossing. Conditions on board
were extremely cramped and uncomfortable with little protection
from the extreme weather conditions and 70 foot swells of the
mid Atlantic. he boys had no home comforts, no ablutions and
limited cooking facilities during their time on-board . hey drank
desalinated seawater and slept in a space no bigger than a single
bed. he boat was kitted out with the very latest electronic systems so that they were tracked 24 hours a day, and could
communicate with land and other vessels while out at sea.
he costs for such an event are considerable, which meant getting to the start line was a sizeable challenge in itself.
he team had to manage the logistics of fund-raising, training, liaising with sponsors and studying at university before
getting to the start line in December 2011. It was a busy and testing year, but having reached their fundraising target to
finance the crossing itself, donations can still be made which will go straight into the funds raised for Spinal Research.
Visit www.justgiving.com/theatlantic4.
James Miller named Agricultural Student of the Year
James Miller (Bishop Fox 2009) has been named Farmers Guardian's
Agricultural Student of the Year 2011-2012. He has been awarded
a 12-month international work placement, which will see him
travelling to New Zealand to pursue his career in agriculture. James
is currently in his second year at the Royal Agricultural College in
Cirencester studying agriculture, and will be spending the summer
on a four-month work placement at Kenniford Farm, Exeter, before
heading to New Zealand in September.
Photo courtesy of Farmers Guardian