Atlantic pair chase Triple Classic record
PA131/05 — September 12 2005
University of Nottingham graduates Becky Thorpe and Steph Temperton are hoping to row their way into the record books when they embark on one of the sport's toughest challenges this weekend.
While many crews will take their pick from the Great River Race, the Boston Marathon or the Great Meander, the pair are hoping to become the first to attempt all three — and all in the space of under a week.
The challenge will be a rigorous way to warm up for their Atlantic rowing attempt in November and will also raise money for the Steve Redgrave Trust, a charity set up by the British rower, five-times Olympic gold medallist and honorary Nottingham graduate that supports local youth projects throughout the country.
As A&E doctors in Nottingham and Derby, Becky and Steph are no strangers to hard work and long hours — but they will need all their strength and stamina as their challenge kicks off on Saturday September 17 with the Great River Race, a 19-mile row down the Thames from Richmond to Greenwich.
No time for a post-race party, however, as the very next day they will race the 26 miles from Lincoln to Boston in Britain's longest rowing race, the Boston Marathon. After achieving the Ladies Pairs record last year, they are aiming to come in under four hours this time.
Three days later, the crew and their Atlantic boat Marion will arrive at Lechlade to start the Great Meander, the 186-mile Thames descent from Lechlade to Gravesend.
Crew coach and assistant director of Physical Recreation and Sport at The University of Nottingham Nigel Mayglothling said: “No-one has done this in an Atlantic boat before so some of the early locks and bridges may be a tad interesting.
“We have to start out from Lechlade in the dark at 4am on Thursday as we hope to catch the right tide down at Richmond, but we don't really know how fast Marion can go up on the narrow reaches so that may be problematic too.”
The pair will be the first crew to complete the Triple Classic, the first to get an Atlantic Boat down the Thames and will be hoping to set a few more race-records along the way.
Nigel added: “Endurance rowing is largely a big-lads sport, so having two nine-stone lasses taking a pop at some of the 15-stone paddlers' records shows how determined they really are.”
During their transatlantic challenge in November, Becky and Steph will be racing head-to-head against BBC-TV documentary pairing double-Olympic champion James Cracknell and TV presenter Ben Fogle.
As the race carried an entry cost of £60,000, Becky and Steph are currently on the look out for sponsors willing to help them cover their costs, meaning more of the funds raised will go straight to the Steve Redgrave Trust.
— Ends —
Notes to editors: More information is available from www.makingwaves2005.org, from Nigel Mayglothling on 07942 982470, nigel.mayglothling@nottingham.ac.uk or Press Officer Emma Thorne in the University's Public Affairs Office on +44 (0)115 951 5793, emma.thorne@nottingham.ac.uk |
