The race, organised by Woodvale Events, has proved to be very popular - entries have now closed almost a year before the race starts. Rich and Dan will be lining up against 5 solo entries, 42 pairs and 4 four man teams.

The race will start on November 27th 2005, with teams departing from San Sebastian, La Gomera (the Canary Islands) and arriving at Nelson's Dockyard in Antigua (the West Indies) some weeks later.

Competitors must be self-sufficient, carrying all food and equipment necessary for the full crossing and using a solar powered desalinator for water. However, there are support vessels accompanying the race to aid in the event of an emergency.

The current race record is 40 days and 5 hours, set in 2003 by New Zealanders Kevin Biggar and James Fitzgerald. The current British record was recently improved by over a week when Michael Perrens and Frank Gargan crossed the line after just 40 days and 17 hours in December 2004, narrowly missing out on the overall race record.