The team will set off from St John's in Newfoundland, Canada, at the end of June, 2004, aiming to arrive off the Isles of Scilly between 35-40 days later, and then immediately set a course for Falmouth.

Because one of the team's aims is to bring the boat home to mainland Britain, the course is technically harder than that taken by both current record-holders.

A climatology study, undertaken by weather router Lee Bruce, pinpointed the optimum rowing conditions for the route, taking into account the safety of the crew. While the summer months are the best for rowing across the Atlantic, fog, ships and stormy weather are still potential hazards for the team. And, while June and July offer the optimum conditions for the attempt, there is a very narrow weather window.

The Grand Banks, the Labrador Current and the ice floes will work against the team, pushing them south and even back towards the North American coast. This is why the first week of rowing is the most crucial, and the crew must work extremely hard to break away and reach the Gulf Stream, which will help to carry them home.

Once in the Gulf Stream, seas will still average between seven and ten feet, but the waves should at least be moving in the right direction.

The final challenge will be to catch the right current off the coast of England to help to take the boat to the mainland. Poor navigation here, and the team could face contrary currents over the last leg of the journey.