Today, Wednesday 27 July 2005, the Ocean Fours (Gijs Groeneveld, Robert Hoeve, Jaap Koomen and Maarten Staarink) finished their record attempt in crossing the Northern Atlantic Ocean in their specially prepared rowing boat, the Vopak Victory.

At 06:49 hours GMT they crossed the west longitude finish line at 6 degrees 26.7 minutes, north latitude 48 degrees 33.7 minutes. The voyage has taken exactly 60 days, 16 hours and 19 minutes.

Though the team did not succeed in establishing a new absolute record time, they have set some new records in transatlantic ocean rowing:

• The fastest unsupported crossing from the US to Europe (former record at 62 days) 
• The fastest modern day Ocean Rowing crossing from US to Europe 
• The first time four persons successfully rowed the Atlantic Ocean from US to Europe
  

The team has met many challenges and fantastic moments along the way. In order to achieve the record they had to travel with as little weight as possible, meaning for instance food rationing during 23 of the 60 days. The team spirit has proven to be a major part in achieving the success, in particular during adverse weather conditions.

Having crossed the finish line, the four Dutch rowers are all in good health. Their rowing boat is now accompanied by a following boat and both are heading for Falmouth in the UK to get supplies. As soon as weather permits the team continues rowing to Rotterdam in the Netherlands, to complete the tracks of the original Holland-America Lijn. The exact date of arrival in Rotterdam (6 of 7 August, weather permitting) will be communicated at a later stage.

http://race.oceanfours.com/