The first of the boats currently competing in the Shepherd Ocean Fours Rowing Race 2006,- James Robert Hanssen, which had been due to finish in to Falmouth, today has been delayed by bad weather.

The 12 courageous ocean rowers who left from New York Harbour on June 10 to row 3,100 nm all the way across the North Atlantic Ocean to Falmouth, have been finding it hard going during the closing stages of the Shepherd Ocean Fours Rowing Race very frustrating.

Currently, there is a substantial high pressure system lying at 20 degrees West, which has been providing us with nice summer weather but this comes at a price. This system brings with it stiff Northerly and North Westerly winds.

A rowing boat struggles to make good progress against strong winds. Consequently progress has been hampered somewhat and the boats have now been set back several days. The sea state will be beam on for the rowing boats making for an uncomfortable and difficult time until such time that the wind moves back round to the West, said a spokesman.

Last night the lead boat in the Shepherd Ocean Fours Rowing Race 2006, Seattle based Boat No. 2 - James Robert Hanssen had 243 nautical miles left to the finish port in Falmouth and if the weather conditions change in the next 24 hours, they should be making landfall and be reunited with their families by Tuesday next week.