Rowing teams complete their record-beating challenge
Two dedicated teams from the University of Worcester Rowing Club have completed their hugely successful world record attempt in CrownGate, as team coach John Maxwell explains in his final report:
"I am delighted to announce that the University of Worcester Rowing Club are triple World Record Holders. Holding the Men's and the Women's Small Team Longest Continual Row world records, and the Women's Small Team Million Metres record as well.
"At 09:10 this morning the University of Worcester Rowing Club finished its final World Record Attempt, breaking the Men's Small Team Longest Continual Row by rowing for 24 hours longer than the previous mark, and travelling an enormous 600km further.
"The record now stands at 3,610km in 264 hours set by the team of Nicky White, Rhys Paul, Will Stafford, Mike Benyon, Oliver Mitchell, Tim Rogers, Ed Johnson, Guy Crane, Tom Trout and Mark Houlden.
"Our possession of 3 world records as a club is second in the sport only to Dartmouth University, USA who hold a whopping 6 - we will look over time to reel them back in and establish the University of Worcester as a leading rowing programme on the world stage. For now however, we are content to be delighted by the achievement of the last two weeks.
"We'd like to thank the support of yourselves at the Worcester News for your press coverage; CrownGate Shopping Centre - without whose generous support the event simply could not have happened; and above all the people of Worcester who have supported us so generously over the last 12 days. Hopefully we have spread the word a little about what the Worcester Snoezelen is, we have certainly enjoyed trying to.
"Tom Trout, who rowed the final leg of the Men's Team World Record, said "Although it has been tough, and each of us has suffered through the tiredness and aches and pains, it has been an amazing experience. We have bonded so well as a team and a club, and come to rely on each other without thinking, but we also feel like we've bonded with the city and the people, and that is one of the real highlights of doing this."
"Some of the Women's Team are in action racing tomorrow in the Women's Eights' Head of the River Race in London - an International event contested between crews from all over Europe and beyond.
"Then, once the blisters have healed, the whole club will be travelling to France to hone their skills before taking on the best in the country at the BUCS Regatta in Nottingham in May.
"We feel that, although this event is over, we are only just beginning the journey."
Published on: March 12, 2010
