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Britons Win Inaugural Indian Ocean Rowing Race 2009

After rowing a colossal 3,132 nautical miles, non-stop across the Indian Ocean, Britons Phil McCorry, (24), brother Nick McCorry (25), Matt Hellier (20) and Ian Allen (25), crew members of Boat No. 7 ‘Bexhill Trust Challenger’, made history today by winning the first ever Indian Ocean Rowing Race 2009.

Two months previously, these intrepid four life long friends from Bexhill, East Sussex set off from Geraldton, Western Australia together with nine other international crews in this unique, ultra-endurance, ocean adventure. 68 days, 19 hours and 40 minutes later, the Bexhill Trust Challenger, a 29ft long purposely designed composite ocean rowing boat, triumphantly crossed the finish line off the beautiful island of Mauritius at 2240hrs GMT today, Friday 26^th June 2009.

By winning the Race, the crew of the Bexhill Trust Challenger have also become the first ever team of four to row across the Indian Ocean and crew member, Matt Hellier at the age of 20, is the youngest.

Bexhill Trust Challenger Crew Member, Phil McCorry comments: “We are totally overwhelmed to finally be here. The crossing was an amazing adventure for all of us but to win the race as well, was an added bonus.

“We would like to thank all our wonderful supporters who have followed and encouraged us all the way across the Indian Ocean and who have done an incredible job in raising valuable funds for our charity, The Stroke Association.

“We are now looking forward to a long hot shower, some fresh food and a full night of sleep in a bed that doesn’t move”.

Organised by West Country based nautical events company, Woodvale Challenge Ltd, the Indian Ocean Rowing Race 2009 is one in a series of rowing races with a difference. Providing ordinary people with the chance to achieve the extraordinary, Woodvale Ocean Rowing Races offer the adventure of a lifetime to anyone regardless of gender, age or experience.

Simon Chalk, Chairman of Woodvale Challenge comments: “Many congratulations to the crew of Bexhill Trust Challenger on wining this most grueling of Ocean Rowing Races in such impressive style. Just four successful crossings prior to this race proves how difficult this adventure is but the guys onboard Bexhill have run a faultless campaign from start to finish and their success is completely justified.

“There are still four teams to finish the Indian Ocean Rowing Race 2009, expected to arrive in to Mauritius over the next few weeks. Woodvale Challenge Ltd will then look forward to the Atlantic Rowing Race 2009, starting later on this year”.

Woodvale Works Team set Speed Record for Rowing Across the Indian Ocean

A multi-national crew of eight amateur rowers (6 men and 2 women) today smashed a record that has remained unbroken for 38 years, for the fastest ever crossing of the Indian Ocean by rowing boat.

The elite crew, rowing a custom built 36ft long ocean rowing boat named ‘Aud Eamus’, set off from Geraldton, Western Australia on the 28 April 2009. Having rowed a mammoth 3,132 nautical miles across the treacherous and unpredictable Indian Ocean, these audacious eight arrived today at Mauritius, after just 58 days, 15 hours and 08 minutes at sea, knocking an impressive six days off the previous route record.

The crew of eight comprising British nationals Simon Chalk (36), Ian Couch (39), Helen Taylor (22) and Paul Cannon (39), Americans Angela Madsen (49), Doug Tumminello (43), and Brian Flick (23), together with Bernard Fissett (46) from Belgium, were all recruited by nautical events company, Woodvale Challenge Ltd as part of the Woodvale Works Team concept.

Bringing a range of skills, adventure, ocean rowing and ultra endurance experience with them, the crew of Aud Eamus was assembled specifically with the aim of setting an Indian Ocean rowing crossing speed record. Through their success in achieving this goal, they also claim a number of other Indian Ocean rowing records that include the first eight man crew, the first paraplegic (Angela Madsen), the first females (Angela Madsen and Helen Taylor) and the first person to row the Indian Ocean twice (Simon Chalk).

Simon Chalk, crew member of Aud Eamus and Chairman of Woodvale Challenge Ltd comments: “We have pushed hard, battled against the elements and overcome all the obstacles to achieve what we set out to do. It’s a fantastic feeling to be here knowing that we have made a little bit of history in setting these new records”.

“It was a pleasure to share this opportunity and unique experience with seven other likeminded people, all with the same drive, determination and tenacity. Woodvale Challenge now looks forward to bringing together more likeminded individuals and forming ‘Woodvale Works Teams’ for the purpose of setting more ocean rowing records”.

The Woodvale Works Team comprises of a new pay per place concept where individuals who wish to row an ocean as part of an elite crew, solely with the purpose of breaking and establishing records can apply to join the crew onboard a purpose built ocean rowing boat. Woodvale Works Teams are currently being recruited for other ocean record attempts including the fastest crossing of the Atlantic Ocean later on this year.

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