Great Pacific Race Crews Announce Race Numbers for 2014 Event
LONDON, March 20, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --
Crews rowing across the Pacific in June select their race numbers for the Great Pacific Race
With less than 3 months until the start of the first Great Pacific race, the 15 crews, representing 9 countries participating, have taken one step closer to the start line. Organisers of the race, New Ocean Wave, have given each crew the opportunity to choose their own race number and the reasons behind each crew's numerical selection is illuminating.
"Most crews felt a strong connection with one particular number. Some chose a number because it was linked to the charity they are supporting, others because it was their jersey at university but everyone had a reason why they picked their specific race number. Thankfully not too many crews wanted the same number so we didn't have to resort to drawing straws." explains Chris Martin, Race Director of the Great Pacific Race and established ocean rower in his own right. "A large part of rowing an ocean is confidence which is linked closely to mental strength. By giving our crews the chance to select their own race number we believe this makes them a bit more confident and mentally tough. Who knows, it might even bring them a bit more luck."
Passionately supporting critically endangered birds, Mary Rose originally chose the number of Spix Macaws left on the planet until she realised that 86 had a second meaning in the USA. So instead she chose to look towards the celebration of the 87th Spix Macaw hatching. Mary's race number is 87.
Daryl Farmer decided to use the race to raise funds for the Peter Andre Foundation to help Cancer Research after his mother passed away from the disease. Her lucky number was 6 so Daryl wanted to race with the same number to honour her memory.
Jim Bauer is the oldest competitor in the fleet but at 65 he still chose a number linked to his earlier life. Jim races as #17 which was the number of his football jersey when he played for San Diego State.
Ultra endurance athlete and Parkinson's sufferer Alex Flynn, together with team mate Darren Taylor, chose #10 as it has played a pivotal role in Alex's life. He has recently has completed his 10 million meter challenge, an epic human powered distance challenge.
Team Clearly Contacts from Vancouver and the only all-female pair in the race chose #33 as it used to be Leanne's jersey number when she played hockey and is Rebecca's buzzer number. "33 has just been a recurring number of some significance in our lives really. No single one reason is bigger than another just that all major events in our lives have been connected to the number so it just felt lucky" says Rebecca.
Team NOMAN picked #5 to represent the 5% of all cancers that are caused by HPV and can be prevented by vaccination as they raise awareness of these preventable cancers.
Team Pacific Warriors are all fans of Douglas Adams and the Hitchhiker's guide to the Galaxy and selected #42 as it is (according to their favourite book) the answer to the universe.
However, only one team could be lucky enough to get the universally accepted luckiest number. The joint Irish and UK based Team Battleborn were fortunate enough to snap up #7 before anyone else proving that they already have the luck of the Irish.
THE GREAT PACIFIC RACE
The Great Pacific Race is the first human powered race on the planet's largest ocean, the Pacific. The race sees crews of one, two and four row non-stop across 2,400 miles of ocean from Monterey, CA to Honolulu, HI. The boats don't have sails or engines, instead the crews rely on 100% muscle power to propel the boats up to 100 miles a day towards the finish line. Boats are ruggedly designed and capable of self-righting if inverted by the 40ft high waves that they will encounter during storms. They are equipped with all the latest technical and safety equipment including satellite navigation and communication, anti-collision systems and a water desalination unit to provide drinking water, all powered by the solar panels mounted on the cabin roof. The race is run bi-annually and race organisers are already taking entries for the 2016 event. The start is scheduled for June 7th 2014.
Chris Martin, Race Director
chris@newoceanwave.com
(USA) +1-831-920-4636
(UK) +44(0)7967-826-833
MEDIA CONTACT:
Jessica Switzer
Jessica@bluepractice.com
(USA) +1-415-381-1100
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