Over EASTER, crews began their sea trials in preparation for the race.
Hallin Marine 2 was officially launched last week by skipper David Hosking’s daughter Sophie, gold medal rower from the London Olympics.
After pouring champagne over the bow of the double-cabined, 24-four-feet long ocean racing boat, Sophie – winner with Kat Copeland of the women’s double lightweight sculls – admitted rowing round Britain does not appeal to her at all.
Sophie, 27, said: “I think he’s nuts in the nicest possible way! You wouldn’t catch me doing that but it’s his dream and I’ll be supporting him…from dry land.”
Gold medallist Sophie joined David, from Wimbledon along with his crew, Neil Ward, 47, Julian Bellido and Stuart Chamberlyne on a training exercise in Hallin Marine 2 on the River Thames at Shepperton.
Falklands veteran David, 58, said: “I’ve been around the coast about 20 times in Naval ships and I know just how bad it can be. Once off Cape Wrath in the north of Scotland we were hit by 110 knot winds!
“But if we get good weather the record can be broken.”
Check out more videos of teams on YouTube GBRow 2013
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