KEY POINTS:
A group of keen New Zealand rowers have put out a challenge to the country's biggest sporting rivals.
Rob Hamill, winner of the inaugural Atlantic Rowing Race in 1997 and campaign manager to the winning 2001 and 2003 Kiwi entries, has launched a rowing race between the Auckland and Sydney Harbour Bridges.
He is to direct a team of four in the 2250km race across the Tasman early next year and is calling on an Australian team to compete. Other New Zealanders are also being encouraged to enter.
At the same time as extending the challenge to our Aussie counterparts, Hamill and his New Zealand team of Nigel Cherrie and Chris Wheldon of Auckland and Andrew McCowan of Hamilton have begun a nationwide search for a fourth crew member.
If no other team accepts the challenge, Hamill's team will complete the unassisted row to become the first four-man team in history to row from one bridge to the other.
"This is the chance for rowers, surfboaties or just your Joe Average adventurer to have a crack at a unique challenge," he said.
"It could spell the beginning of a biennial competition raced by teams from around the world."
* To sign up as a team in the race or to apply as a fourth crew member of Hamill's team, log on to www.bridgetobridge.co.nz
