In 1966 Sir Chay Blyth CBE BEM rowed across the North Atlantic with John Ridgeway from Cape Cod on the North American Coastline to Ireland. Their epic journey took place in a 20ft open dory named “English Rose 111” and during their 92 day passage they faced hurricanes, fifty foot waves and a near starvation diet. Their voyage was a challenge, a test of strength and endurance and an opportunity that just had to be taken up.

More than three decades later, Sir Chay Blyth has enabled 111 courageous individuals to experience a similar adventure by organising the Atlantic Rowing Challenge, one in 1997 and another in 2001.

In 2005 the race will have a new finish in the Caribbean, Antigua. The venue for the finish has been chosen in preference to Barbados as it has better landing venues.

Safety on an event of this scale is of great importance. The fleet will be accompanied by support vessel(s) to increase safety standards, as well as enabling television/photographic footage to be relayed back to overseas countries.

Sir Chay Blyth added:
"The Ocean Rowing Challenge will be a supreme mental and physical challenge. Teams will need to adapt to testing conditions that will push the human spirit to its limit."