The Crossing: Conquering the Atlantic in the World's Toughest Rowing Race Book

For most sane people the prospect of spending up to 2 months at sea in a vessel only 25ft in length with someone you barely know would be the last thing that they would consider. However not everyone is like this and this was the challenge accepted by double Olympic champion James Cracknell and TV presenter Ben Fogle. This book is the account of their voyage and a thoroughly interesting read. ; ; I first became aware of the Atlantic Rowing Race when as captain of my college boat club I received a flyer inviting me to enter the challenge. I did consider it for a split second but soon the reality hit and the flyer ended up in the bin. A few months later I was sat at my computer and saw an article saying how the TV presenter Ben Fogle was planning on rowing across the Atlantic Ocean with a yet to be announced partner. I had first become aware of Fogle when he was on the TV program 'Castaway 2000' possibly the first ever reality TV show where a community was formed on the remote Scottish Island of Taransay. I had subsequently seen him on several other TV shows but the shock came when his mysterious partner was unveiled as James Cracknell. ; ; I had always enjoyed watching rowing on the TV and this had been enhanced when I started the sport at University. Cracknell had won gold at the 2000 and 2004 games and was in the middle of a sabbatical from the sport but his inclusion was a huge surprise. His inclusion really sparked my interest in the challenge and once the race started I soon found myself logging onto the race website daily to chart their progress. ; ; 49 days after leaving La Gomera is the Canary Islands the pair arrived in English Harbour Antigua the first 2 man boat to do so. On the way they had experienced dehydration through a broken water maker a capsize where Fogle had gone overboard and Christmas away from home. Coupled with the stresses of life on board such a small boat in the close company of someone that they didn't know that well this leads to a great read. ; ; The book is written in the form of a diary alternate memories from the two men interspersed with press releases from the organisers and communications between their respective families. Although it can sometimes be a little difficult to keep track when there are short extracts from each man as their writing styles do vary their different takes on events are quite enjoyable. Whilst the over competitive Cracknell spends much of his time lambasting the lack of preparation by Fogle the laid back Fogle bemoans the attitude of Cracknell often putting their progress in the race above what he feels was their personal safety. ; ; The book is an enjoyable read that I couldn't put down. The interaction between two men who got to know each other in the most extreme way is something that I would recommend to anyone who has an interest either in rowing itself or challenges in general. It was amazing finding out about some of the things that happened and the fact that they became lifelong friends Fogle asked Cracknell to be bestman at his wedding.Read More