At 0930 Canadian time (1300 UK time) on Wednesday 30 June 2004, the crew of the Pink Lady® Atlantic First is set to leave St John's, Newfoundland, to start one of the most exciting journeys in ocean rowing history.

Pink Lady® skipper Mark Stubbs believes the first 350 miles will be the hardest, and who would argue with him. There are four times as many icebergs in the ocean near St John's, some them equivalent to the size of a small village. Add to this having to row across southwestery winds, negotiating the stormy Grand Banks and the shallow fishing grounds off Newfoundland, the crew will need to be alert.