Towey sets out for Atlantic race

ROWING: Gearóid Towey boarded a ferry to cross the Irish Sea yesterday - taking with him the small craft which he hopes to row across the Atlantic Ocean.

The boat, the Digicel Atlantic Challenge, will be loaded into a container today to make the long journey to the Canary Islands.

Irish international Towey and experienced oarsman Ciarán Lewis, who leave Ireland a month tomorrow, will set forth in the Woodvale Atlantic Rowing Race which begins on November 27th hoping to become the first Irishmen to win the gruelling race to the Carribean. The two hope to raise up to €250,000 for the Irish Cancer Society and the Merchant's Quay Project.

"The boat going is a big milestone," said Towey yesterday.

It's been a struggle to get everything right logistically - and not just for the Irish. Double Olympic gold medalist James Cracknell, a friend from Towey's days at Leander, rang him on Wednesday to compare notes. The Englishman's boat has still not been loaded up to go.

Towey expects to lose at least five kilogrammes on the row, and if all goes well it will leave him in good shape to rejoin the Ireland set-up as a lightweight come the early part of next year.

Lewis will be assuming new responsibilities of a different sort. The Commercial man is set to take over as secretary of the Dublin Sculling Ladder - stepping into the shoes of Micheal Johnston, who is in his 70th year and is departing after 40 years a the helm. He goes out on a high after a very successful run of the time-trial last weekend.

The executive committee of the Irish Amateur Rowing Union have remained silent about the proceedings of last weekend's meeting, save to confirm NUIG have accepted their €500 fine and club member Stuart King has been suspended until the end of next year.