ACT II “A World record attempt”

In 2010, Charlie Pitcher became the British Record Holder for the fastest un-assisted solo row across the Atlantic Ocean. In the process, he also won the Woodvale Atlantic Rowing Race overal, becoming the first ever solo rower to beat the entire fleet of boats that set out at the start of the race.

His ocean row took just over 52 days to complete in what the Race Director described as “the most adverse conditions in the history of this race”. Charlie had to deploy his sea anchor again and again to reduce the speed his boat was blown backwards against headwinds. Some 10 days in total and several of those recording a “negative mileage towards the finish”....heart wrenching. At an early stage in the race, the Race Director indicated to Charlie that he was on track to beat the existing World record of 42 days..........which planted a seed in his mind!

With the construction of a new boat due to start in November 2011, Charlie has told his friends “With a better boat, better rower and better weather, the existing record can be broken.....just! It's all about choosing a suitable weather window and going for it!”