Quartet take to the water to prepare for Atlantic challenge
‘Generation Gap’ team is set to tackle 3,000 mile adventure
A TEAM of four rowers with a 31-year age gap have marked the six-month countdown to the start of the world’s toughest row across the Atlantic Ocean, by taking to the water to row together for the first time since their training was put on hold by the coronavirus lockdown.
Loughborough father and daughter duo Roger Staniforth, 59, and Brittany Staniforth (27), and their friends Victoria Micó Egea, 29, and Edward Raymont 28, make up the four-man rowing ‘Generation Gap’ team, which will set off from La Gomera in the Canary Islands on December 12
Team Generation Gap - chosen in recognition of the 31-year age gap between its oldest and youngest members - will row 3,000 miles in a target of 42-days, arriving at the finish line in Antigua of the 2020 Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge.
They are taking on the race in support of Mind, The Royal Marines Charity, Rural Assistance Nepal and Women’s Aid, with the aim of raising as much money charity.
Brittany, who works as a doctor at Bradford Royal Infirmary, said: “Life in lockdown has meant the last few months certainly haven’t been plain sailing for Generation Gap. The group has had to adapt to training apart from one another, develop new types of stamina and strength training whilst the gyms have been closed, as well as face the challenge of not being able to get out on the water for real rowing practice.
“But as we cross the six-month milestone until the race begins, we are feeling more committed than ever to raise as much money as we can our four chosen charities.
“The relaxing of social distancing measures has meant Generation Gap is now finally able to get back out in our boat, Mandy, a Rannoch R45 built specifically for the team and race.”
Reflecting on the time spent training in lockdown, Edward, who is the team’s skipper, added: “It has definitely been a difficult few months as we, like so many across the UK, have had to adjust to the new normal. Social distancing measures have made rowing as they can for each together in a small boat completely impossible, so we have focussed our training on building strength and stamina, doing virtual home workouts together where we can.
“Getting experience in our boat – named ‘Mandy’ after Roger’s wife and Brittany’s mum – is essential to the team’s preparation for the challenge, as we need comprehensive knowledge of the boat’s functionality for when we are in the Atlantic’s rough waters.”
Victoria said: “The coronavirus pandemic has truly emphasised the social inequalities faced by many, and we’re prouder than ever to be supporting charities that have proven invaluable to countless people during lockdown.
“To even attempt the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, we’re required to have spent a minimum of 72-hours rowing in our boat, including 24-hours in darkness. But really, the more time we get out in Mandy the better.
“I’ve been feeling anxious about how it would feel to be back in the boat, as there’s only so much training you can do off-water and in limited space at home. But as soon as we were out there together as a team, it just worked.
“The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge is a formidable feat on its own, without factoring in a global pandemic. But we’ve seen just how important the work of our charities has been in this time, and that has motivated us to train harder than ever.”