| | |
 |
|
| 04-28-2004 | Previous edition: 04-27-2004 |
        
     |
Printer-friendly version ‘Adrenaline-pumping’ 60-day Atlantic race attracts crew members
Staff Writer Two Purdue students already have their Christmas lists ready to go for 2005. Sarah Kessans and Emily Kohl, both members of the Purdue Crew Team, plan on spending the 2005 Christmas season in sunny Barbados. Only they will have to row 2,900 nautical miles in fewer than 60 days to get there. Two months ago, Kessans, junior in the School of Agriculture and Kohl, senior in the School of Liberal Arts, registered to compete in the Woodvale Atlantic Rowing Race. This race, which will begin in October of 2005, will have 30 teams traveling across the Atlantic Ocean, a distance of 2,900 nautical miles. They will depart from Tenerife, located in the Canary Islands, and row to Barbados, located in the West Indies. The route is similar to that of Christopher Columbus’s and the start date is ideal, because teams will be able to take advantage of the predominantly southwesterly-flowing current. All teams will be under pressure because the approximate race time is 60 days. Kessans and Kohl said they are hoping for first place and wish to finish within 50 days. "All I need is a little music, and I can row forever," said Kohl. Kessans first became interested in the race while working at an internship in Dublin, Ireland. She said a lot of Europeans enter the race, and its popularity is larger in Europe compared to the United States. Kessans said she and Kohl will be the only all-America team competing. After Kessans found out about the race she started searching for a teammate. "I threw up the offer at the crew team," said Kessans. "(Kohl) ate up the idea." Kessans said she and Kohl started talking about the race and signed up a few weeks later. "I’ve always been a sucker for intense, adrenaline-pumping adventures, so when Kessans presented this idea to me, I knew it was a challenge that I not only wanted to do, but could win," said Kohl. Kessans and Kohl will be constructing their boat from a kit sent to them by Woodvale events. The boat will be sent as 26 pieces of marine plywood, and the women have enlisted several people to help them assemble it. The boat has been specially designed for the race and is the most successful ocean-rowing boat. The special design ensures that the boat is self-draining, and watertight storage compartments are built in. The pair will also bring extra oars in case any break. Kessans said the boat will weigh about 1,600 pounds. Kessans and Kohl have been training with the Purdue Crew Team and this summer will go on several trips to train specifically for the Atlantic Rowing Race. The women will borrow a boat to practice rowing on the Ohio River, and once their boat is made, they will travel to Michigan and the East Coast to train both this summer and next summer. Kessans and Kohl will also be taking first aid and navigation courses. "I know it’s going to be very challenging, but that’s why I’m doing it," said Kohl. The women don’t race in the same boat during the crew season; Kessans rows in the open weight class, and Kohl rows in the lightweight class. Even so the women think they will work well as a team and get along well with each other. "I think we are pretty good friends," said Kessans. "Obviously they’ll be some tension, but nothing we can’t handle." Kessans and Kohl both think if anyone on the team would attempt the race, it would be them. "I’m game for anything crazy," said Kohl. Kessans said, "Obviously it’s going to be scary, but I love challenges." The women will row in shifts 24 hours a day. "In the past Atlantic races, one of the more efficient ways of rowing is having one person row for two hours while the other sleeps," said Kohl. The pair hopes to maintain an average speed of two to four knots throughout the entire race. During the race, Kessans and Kohl will be completely unsupported. The girls are responsible for any food, water and supplies. Kohl said she and Kessans will eat freeze-dried food and rely on a water machine for fresh drinking water. So far the biggest problem the women have encountered has been raising money to finance their adventure. The race will cost upwards of $100,000. In an effort to raise money, Kessans and Kohl are hoping to obtain University sponsorship as well as sponsorship from the community. The women said it’s a large community effort and they are currently trying to raise money in their hometowns. Kessans and Kohl will soon have a Web site to help spread the word about their coming adventure. The Web site will include bios of the two women, an explanation of the race and a list of their sponsors. Kessans and Kohl both say their families and teammates have been supportive. Family members will be present when Kessans and Kohl depart for the race and arrive at the finish line. "Both girls show an incredible ability to overcome challenging situations, both physically and mentally. I’ve seen them do it time and time again," said teammate Christine Chirchirillo. Kessans said, "Everyone we’ve talked to is incredibly supportive." Both women agree if the experience is a good one, they will be eager to do it again. For more information on the women’s progress and the race, e-mail Kessans at skessans@purdue.edu. Anyone interested in helping to sponsor the pair should also contact Kessans. Printer-friendly version |
|
Front Page | Campus | City | Features | Opinions | Sports | Classifieds Advertising | Archive | Links | About us | Letter Submission Form To report any errors with or to give ideas on how we can improve the online edition of The Exponent contact Online Production |
