Bhavik Gandhi rows across the Atlantic!

 

Letter from Bhavik Gandhi

 

Letter from Bhavik Gandhi

ibnlive.com

Published on Wed, Apr 26, 2006 at 16:09, Updated at Wed, Apr 26, 2006 in Nation section

Tags: Bhavik Gandhi, Atlantic

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ABORTED ATTEMPT: Bhavik Gandhi will now cross the Atlantic only after the hurricane season.

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Bhavik starts on world record mission

Stockholm-based and former Bombay Scottish student Bhavik Gandhi on Tuesday kicked off his journey in his bid to set a new world record in fastest solo Atlantic crossing.

• Indian embarks on solo Atlantic voyage

An adventurer of Indian origin is taking the same route as Christopher Columbus did in an effort to create a world record. Bhavik Gandhi, a Mumbai-born Indian now based in Sweden, wants to conquer the Atlantic, rowing 3000 nautical miles (5000 km) from La Gomera in Spain to Antigua. An intrepid sea adventurer, Gandhi is aiming to enter the record books by becoming the first Asian to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean.

However, he has recently aborted his attempt to cross the Atlantic till after the hurricane season. Bhavik will now resume his voyage in October this year.

In a letter to IBN live, Bhavik explains why he had to stop mid-voyage.

To the team at IBN Live,

Thanks for the supporting my Atlantic attempt.

Knowing when to turn back is as important as knowing when to push forward.

There is a precarious thin line that separates the striving to achieve something and the obsession with the achievement that excludes common sense.

To survive it is known where to draw the line.

Getting to the starting point has been an incredibly massive task.

From boat design, training, financing, equipment, logistics etc.

Turning back just 4 days into the ocean was a difficult decision, in the light of all the media coverage, anticipation by sponsors, supporters and fans.

However, the setback with bad weather during the first two days and the onset of the hurricane season on the first of June, forced my to re-evaluate the decision to press ahead.

The hurricane season in the Atlantic is not something that could be ignored. While 60 days may have been sufficient for a crossing, the margin of error required (40 days) for a worse case scenario, overran into the hurricane season.

In the interest of protecting life, the project and the investment by the sponsors, supporters and the media, I took the difficult to turn back and wait out the hurricane season.

Therefore, I will re-attempt the record after the hurricane season in October.

Till then, I will be at the Canary Islands for the next 5 months, training.

My progress log on the website will continue as usual.

Thanks again for your support and understanding.

Bhavik

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IBNLive > Bhavik Gandhi > 1 Man, 1 Boat, 3,000 Miles

 

Indian embarks on solo Atlantic voyage

In 1493, European explorer Christopher Colombus sailed this route. When he landed in Antigua in the Carrribean Islands, he thought he had arrived in India. And now, 600 years later, it's a small co-incidence that an adventurer of Indian origin is taking the same route in an effort to create a world record.
Bhavik Gandhi, a Mumbai-born Indian now based in Sweden, wants to conquer the Atlantic, rowing 3000 nautical miles (5000 km) from La Gomera in Spain to Antigua. An intrepid sea adventurer, Gandhi is aiming to enter the record books by becoming the first Asian to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean.
Gandhi began his journey to set a new world record as the fastest rower to cross the Atlantic Ocean all by himself on April 11. According to reports, Gandhi started his journey at 1700 hrs from La Gomera in Spain and aims to reach Antigua in 90 days. He will row 10 to 12 hours at a stretch each day.
Sea rowing is a rigorous endurance sport and an ultimate test of mental and physical endurance. Gandhi's daredevilry will pit him not just against the vagaries of nature, but also creatures of the deep like sharks and killer whales.
The 29-year-old, the first Indian to undertake such a challenge, will follow the route taken by Christopher Colombus. He will also cross the infamous Bermuda Triangle. �I have long been involved in various endurance challenges like distance running, mountain climbing, sailing, cycling from Stockholm to Istanbul, trekking across Siberia in minus 30�C temperatures," Gandhi says.
"When I look back at these experiences now, it seems as if, through these seemingly unconnected events, I was preparing for this once-in-a-lifetime challenge - becoming the first Asian to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean,� he adds.
Being on a solo journey, he will be equipped with a laptop, an iPod, a satellite phone, GPS tracking system and a SeeMe device which enable his boat to be tracked by bigger ships.
However, his boat will have no sails, motors or support ship and he will rely only on his muscle power. Till date only 32 people have survived the arduous journey.

Ibnlive.com will track Gandhi's historic journey and mark his progress. Click here to send your wishes to Bhavik Gandhi.

IBNLive > Bhavik Gandhi > 1 Man, 1 Boat, 3,000 Miles