Olympus is sponsoring an attempt to smash the world record for rowing across the Atlantic Ocean in winter.

The feat, which will be recorded using the waterproof and shockproof [mju:] 725 SW digital camera, is being attempted by team Atlantic ?06, made up of British hopefuls Stu Turnbull and Ed Baylis. Neither have any real rowing experience, but have varied sporting and adventurous pasts including a 150-mile self-supported foot race through +50ºC in the Egyptian Sahara and collecting two Blues at Oxford University for Rugby League. As well as setting a new record, their second challenge is to raise almost a quarter of a million pounds for Cancer Research UK.

The challenge hinges upon beating the current world record, held by two seasoned rowers from New Zealand who crossed the Atlantic in 40 days, 5 hours and 31 minutes. Stu and Ed will row the Atlantic in a 24ft plywood skiff which has already crossed the Atlantic back in 2001 at the hands of Debra Veal (now Searle) who rowed the ocean single handed when her rowing partner (and then husband) pulled out after two weeks at sea. She completed the distance in one of the slowest times ever recorded, and the duo is keen to complete the voyage in the fastest time ever – in the same boat.

The athletes will be taking pictures of their voyage using the [mju:] 725 SW and plan to send pictures and videos back to their website: www.atlantic06.com