La Mondiale is the fastest Rowing Boat to cross the Atlantic Ocean.

   All La Mondiale's Records have been verified by Argos Beacon data which records progress and position automatically several times per day.

La Mondiale is the fastest Rowing Boat to cross the Atlantic Ocean.

Her first Record achieved in 1992 remained unbroken for 16 years until Jan 08 when................. 

La Mondiale with her British & Irish crew broke this Record by 2 days.

Three further Records were achieved. 

The Crew and the newly configured boat smashed the exiting North Sea Distance record in the first 24hr of their maiden voyage.

 On Dec 21 - Dec 30 La Mondiale became the first ocean rowing boat to make 100+ miles per day for 9 consecutive days in a row.

 Jan 2nd - Jan 3rd, La Mondiale set a new 24 hour distance record - 117 miles (189 km) 102 nautical miles.

THE NEW RECORD IS 33 DAYS, 7HRS & 30MINS. 

At the same time, La Mondiale won a unique challenge from multihull  ocean rowing boat 'Orca', of a Transatlantic Rowing Race between ‘La Mondiale' & ‘Orca’ of  an east to west crossing of the Atlantic from Gran Canaria to Barbados.

‘La Mondiale’ & ‘Orca’ raced across the ocean waves.

The extreme courage and tenacity was the test of the intrepid oarsmen of these two boats, not to mention the ability to work as a team and be able to tolerate each other within the confines of a rowboat.  This Race has determined which is the fastest boat across the Ocean. 

It is the tried and tested design of ‘La Mondiale’  which has triumphed over the new technology of the smart, light but smaller multihull design of 'Orca.'

Atlantic Ocean 2007

Start Date: Finish Date: Route : Distance: Status: Target:

16th December 2007 17th JANUARY 2008 Gran Canaria to Barbados 3050 miles  COMPLETED Under 35 Days - Done in 33 DAYS 7HRS & 30MINS

THEY'VE DONE IT!

La Mondiale’ and her elite British & Irish crew have beaten the Transatlantic Rowing Record of 35 days, 8hrs & 30mins.

More detail & information of La Mondiale and its rowers - click Ocean Rowing Society website.

THE RECORD BREAKING CREW 2007/2008...

Leven Brown, Ray Carroll, Charlie Taylor, Peter Donaldson, Don Lennox, Mike Tooth, Stuart Kershaw, Julian Barnwell, Reinhardt Von Hof, Oliver Dudley, PJ Luard, Rob Loder-Symonds, Jamie Walker, Liam Hughes.

The Skipper

Leven has been keen on adventure all his life. Rowing, sailing, walking, bushcraft and survival are all passions. In the 2005/6 Season Leven rowed the Atlantic E-W solo in his 23ft wooden rowing boat ‘Atlantic Wholff’ taking a total of 123 days to cover nearly 4500 miles. He survived three hurricanes, a shark attack, lightening storms and was the first rower to conquer Spain’s notorious Bay of Cadiz. Leven holds a Guinness World Record for being the First from Mainland Spain to the West Indies and is responsible for putting these adventures together.

The Crew

Don Lennox Age: Nationality: 40 years Scottish

Don is a Ultra- Marathon runner ...mainly the 96 mile - West Highland Way Race and the 43 mile - Devil o' The Highlands Footrace every year. Best finishes are 20hrs 4mins for the WHW race (5th position) and 6 hrs 27mins (4th position for the Devil o').First thought about an ocean row as a means of getting to America so that I could run across it. This expedition gives me the opportunity to cross an ocean in "relative safety in numbers", gaining experience with a view to a back to back solo crossing with the run at a later date (perhaps!) Lives in Bellshill near Glasgow.  Sports Therapist and has a gym in Hamilton which is also an injury rehabilitation centre.  Wants to be part of the team and sees it as a great life experience and a challenge .

PETER DONALDSON DOB: Nationality: 20/07/1959 Irish

 Peter’s Rowing Challenges undertaken to date include-:

• Celtic Challenge, Arklow – Aberystwyth
• Numerous charity rows around the Island of Cobh in Co Cork (16 miles)
• Participated 3 times in the London “Great River Race” (22 miles)
• Local fundraisers across Dublin Bay from Ringsend to Dalkey
• “Irish Seaman’s Memorial” row around the Kish Lighthouse
• World pilot Gig Championships – Scilly isles (x2)

MIKE TOOTH DOB: Nationality: 17/01/1958 British

Born and bred in Yorkshire, I have been living in Norfolk for the last 23 years, running my own business, Breckland Insurance Services, as an independent financial adviser.  Sport has always been a passion, and I was privileged to have been selected for Yorkshire schoolboys rugby, before injury led me to pursue more "gentle" water based activities!  I can frequently be seen either waterskiing on the Norfolk Broads, or jet skiing off the Norfolk Coast during the English summer months, but then try to escape to visit my twin brother in Perth, Australia over the Christmas period, where windsurfing seems to be the order of the day. I also have a sister living in the Oxford area.  I have been divorced for the last 9 years, but have two children Brendan and Georgina currently studying GCSE's and A levels. Sadly both parents are no longer alive to see this World Record attempt. 
Apart from water sports, I also enjoy cycling, walking and travel, the latter by air rather than rowing boat!!

Update Dec 08 - What Mike is doing now

Since leaving Barbados, I suffered badly with carpal tunnel syndrome (no feeling in some fingers), so abstained from any physical exercise until August. This was great in that the nerves have re-grown and I have perfect feeling again, but the weight went on!!  Been in light training since then, and enjoyed the camaraderie of doing the Portpatrick and Loch Tay selection courses with the aim of the North Atlantic next June.  Being in financial services, work has been tedious to say the least, hence getting itchy feet for another row. That must be because I remember the emotion of leaving Gran Canaria, and the arriving in Barbados, but the hell that was 33 days seems to have disappeared from my mind.... maybe thats why I need reminding of it!  Still a single man, but with growing up fast kids (my thanks to Jamie Walker for getting my son totally inebriated after the Ocean Rowing Ball!), I seem to have a lot of free time at mo due to the credit crunch and therefore lack of investments to make from punters!  Enjoyed keeping in touch with fellow rowers, and in deed have been over to Dublin to stay with Pete Donaldson whilst taking a theatre trip to see Riverdance (lot easier than rowing!), social drinking with PJ in Norwich, and cant seem to get away from Barnwell!!  Hoping to see the new guys set off from Gran Canaria and wish them the very best in their own record attempt! Go for it lads!! 

JULIAN BARNWELL Age: Nationality: 40 years GB - Wroxham, Norfolk

Julian owns a Printing Company and Newsagents with his brother Lincoln, called Barnwell Print Ltd which was established in 1840 and we are the fourth generation to run it. Also I own a Thai restaurant called Lam Thai with my wife Lam Yai, which is based in the centre of Norwich.  Our family charity is Multiple Sclerosis as our mother Linda Barnwell was affected by this neurological disorder and she died at only 46 years of age. I am also the Chairman of the Norwich MS Branch which is one of the largest in the country. Past charity events for MS have included a marathon, water-skiing the English Channel non stop and around mainland UK in a 10m RIB in 6 days.   I am also a very keen scuba diver, starting at age 10 I've spent the majority of my diving in the North Sea but have been lucky enough to dive all around the world. I will be rowing the Atlantic for MS to raise money for research and a new £1.5 million centre in Norfolk which will offer new treatment facilities for the people of Norfolk with this disability.  

REINHARDT VON HOF DOB: Nationality: 10/11/77 Irish

Reinhardt spent his childhood years in Northern Ireland. He have recently worked as a Preservation Labourer with one of Scotland’s leading Architectural conservation contractors. Prior to that he had project managed & have been involved in IT engineering. When he was a student At Edinburgh & Napier Universities, he had various interesting jobs and learned to operate heavy plant machinery and agricultural machinery.

• Holds a Military Training Qualification 1
• The Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award and speak German as a second language.
• Professional membership of The Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland
• Rowed for Edinburgh University
• Currently I am a mature student studying MSc in Property and Construction Management.
• Row for St Andrews Boat Club
• Interests are shooting, stalking, photography, wine, books, history, reeling and of course rowing

RAY CARROLL DOB: Nationality: 8/1/1977 Irish

Ray has been rowing since 13 years old, represented Ireland in the World junior championships, World University games and won gold for Ireland in the European championships.   Studied Marine Engineering in the Irish Maritime college and went to sea as a marine Engineer with British Petroleum.  Worked in the shipyards of Italy and France and was involved in the construction and sailing of the Queen Mary 2, then the largest liner ever built.  Left to join Irish Ferries as Chief Engineer in 2005 and now work as an engineering surveyor in my home town of Galway Ireland.  

Charlie Taylor DOB: Nationality: 30/09/1976 British

Charlie has been sailing all his life and has skippered many British Army sailing expeditions on long passages all over the world. He has the teambuilding and leadership experience of having spent a year in command of soldiers on operations in Iraq and maintains physical fitness and a robust attitude to hardship, having run marathons, boxed, won the Army Judo Championships and enjoyed life in the outdoors.  Charlie's grandmother, after recovering from breast cancer earlier in the year, has recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. He is rowing the Atlantic in aid of the Alzheimer's Society in order to help people cope with this tragically debilitating disease.

Update Nov 08 - What Charlie is doing now  

Charlie has got a job in the City and done a couple of talks about The Record Breaking Atlantic Row.  He now is doing lots & lots of training in preparation for running coast to coast across England next week for Alzheimer's.

Stuart Kershaw DOB: Nationality: 19/11/80 English/Welsh

Stuart began his career as a script intern for Paramount Pictures and later 20th Century Fox in Los Angeles, CA after gaining a 1st class honours degree from the University of Wales.  Since setting up his own production company in 2003, Stuart has worked extensively as a director, camera operator and editor worldwide. Stuart specialises in hostile location work and has covered events from inaccessible regions including: Burma, Palestine, Kashmir and the Alaskan interior. Stuart's directorial film slate has been distributed internationally and he hopes to carve a niche out of extreme film- making and journalism.  

Oliver Dudley Age: Nationality: 31 years British

Oli is a Property Developer and have always wanted to expand the adventurous horizon. He has been thinking about rowing The Atlantic for a few years but the opportunity had never presented itself. Until, that is, He was introduced to P. J. Luard at a dinner party. He told Oli, in his very modest way, about La Mondiale, the crew, the imminent adventures, and the rest as they say is history. He has had a bit of sailing experience but has never rowed until the first training weekend with the crew back in August. As an ex-rugby player, Harlequin Colts and English Students Trials, he likes to keep himself fit. 

Update on Oli, Feb 09

I am doing the 7 Marathon challenge with stu www.7in7on7.com which isn't exactly a "living", but got sponsorsihp to pay for it, so its almost a living. I enjoy it, and having been heavily involved in the stock market and property development, I got to look for non credit crunch related avenues!!!  Having rowed with Leven, I got the adventure bug for sure. When I have finished the running, I am thinking of working for an adventure travel company / expeditions, that kind of thing. Thats what floats my boat, so we shall see!!  

Rob Loder-Symonds Age: Nationality: 36 years British

Occupation: Management Consultant
Born & brought up in Canterbury, went to University in Paris, worked in London for ten years. Moved to Scotland in 2001 to undertake MBA at Edinburgh University. In 2004 became director of Canturian Cost Consultancy Ltd based in Edinburgh specialising in overhead procurement. I'm a keen long distance runner & enjoy the odd game of village cricket.

Rob is raising money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association. MND is a neurodegenerative condition which his late paternal grandmother suffered from.  

PJ Luard Age: Nationality: 30 years GB

After university PJ was in the British Army for 5 years, serving with the elite Devonshire and Dorset Regiment. He now fills his days fixing loos and boilers, bringing warmth and happiness to the households of south west London for WPJ Heating . He is raising money for 2 charities, St Margaret's Somerset Hospice and Stawley Church all in aid of his Mum. More can be found out about PJ at www.rowingtheatlantic.co.uk.

Jamie Walker DOB: Nationality: 22/2/74 English

Jamie Walker is 6'6'' and maintains a remarkable physique which allows him to pursue sporting interests ranging as wide as ski extreme and Triathlons to basketball, rugby, racquet sports and even a little cage fighting! He has trekked through the Arctic, completed three of the most arduous stages of the Tour de France and Dragonboated the English Channel, amongst other things and his combination of fierce determination and good humour is a great asset to the team.

His working life sees him running Rclub.com - self-styled 'fixers' to London's wealthy and providers of 'Luxury Privileges & Benefits' for businesses looking to acquire or retain clients. 

Liam Hughes Age: Nationality: 10/08/53 British with Irish Father

I qualified in 1979 having spent most of my school and medical student time playing sport. A serious neck injury sustained in training at Bath ended my rugby career aged 27. Since then I had played a bit of golf but mainly looked on as my fitness levels steadily fell until last year when the madness took over.

The cardiology department where I work as a consultant interventional cardiologist needed a new theatre but the NHS had no cash. I co-founded a charity (Balloons 4 Hearts) and decided to row across the North Sea, which was completed in July with my fabulous wife Claire and three others. As part of that row, I met Julian, Mike along with Tiny Little. All I can say is when someone like Tiny puts his arm round you and tells you to join the Mondiale crew you kind of have no choice.

So I won’t be with my wife and two boys Fergus (6) and Finlay (5) for Christmas but hopefully Balloons 4 Hearts will get the final £160,000 to reach it £1 million target and all the training will have paid.

SOME OF THE NEWS ITEMS FOR LA MODIALE

http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/newsid_7190000/newsid_7195500/7195555.stm?bw=bb&mp=wm&news=1&nol_storyid=7195555&bbcws=1

 (Not in any particular order & just for interest)

 PRESS LINKS

 http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/topstories/Rowers-celebrate-Atlantic-Christmas-.3645578.jp

 http://www.thesouthernreporter.co.uk/sport/Leven-on-a-rowboat-.3605790.jp

 http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/world-news/rowers-cross-atlantic-in-record-33-days-7-hours-and-30-minutes_10013376.html

 http://trpmagazines.com/news/allnews.asp?id=11643

 http://www.norfolkbroads.com/focus/boating/atlanticrowing

 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/7193722.stm

 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7196046