Official Press Release:

 

It is a feat accomplished by fewer than have successfully summited Mount Everest.
Sheffield doctor James Robins is part of an eight-strong team aiming to row 3,000 miles across the Atlantic in a bid to break four world records, including the fastest ever crossing made by human power.

The 26-year-old, who works at Rotherham District General Hospital, will set off from Puerto Morgan in Gran Canaria on January 17 destined for Port St Charles in Barbados.

The group will row in two teams of four with each team rowing for two hours on and two hours off non-stop for the duration of the challenge.
The University of Sheffield medicine graduate – who is raising money for charity Neurocare, based at the city's Royal Hallamshire Hospital – will battle predicted 10m-high waves in carbon kevlar monohull boat Avalon (corr) as he and his team try and smash four world records.
The existing record for the crossing, which was first successfully completed in 1896 in a time of 55 days, is just 32 days.
James and his team hope not only to break the current record but also complete the punishing, unsupported challenge in less than 30 days – considered the four-minute mile of ocean rowing.

They also hope to break the record for the longest distance rowed in 24 hours, which currently stands at 115 miles, as well as surpassing the 12-day world record for the most consecutive days rowing more than 100 miles.

James, a captain in the British Army Reserve (Royal Army Medical Corps), said: "We're going to face waves as high as houses and will only ever get a break of two hours at a time, which makes this challenge physically and mentally draining."
The team each expect to lose two-and-a-half stone in weight during the challenge, which will see them burn 5,000 calories every day.
They will eat three meals of rehydrated food every day including curries and pastas.

The marathon crossing is approximately 2,550 nautical miles – equivalent to 2,930 statute miles or 4,700km.
Aspiring neurosurgeon James is aiming to raise £20,000 to help buy life-saving equipment and facilities for use in neurosurgical theatres at the Hallamshire, while the charity also funds research projects and specialist training so those suffering from neurological conditions receive the best care available.

James, who lives in Fitzwilliam Street, Sheffield, added: "Neurocare is a charity I feel passionately about and I hope that by doing this I can raise thousands of pounds for a cause which helps so many people."

For more information about the challenge visit:www.atlanticfantastic.com. To sponsor James visit:www.justgiving.com/atlanticfantastic.