L-R: Derbyshire High Sheriff Theresa Peltier, Derby Mayor Cllr Alan Graves, Vic Handley, Cllr Baggy Shanker, leader of Derby City Council and Lord-Lieutenant of Derbyshire Elizabeth Fothergill
A former company director of a ground engineering firm is using his retirement to achieve a lifelong ambition – to row solo across the Atlantic.
Sixty-nine-year-old Vic Handley, former deputy group managing director of Nottinghamshire ground engineering firm Van Elle, has set his sights on becoming the second-oldest person to make the crossing, which he plans to embark on as a competitors in the in the annual World’s Toughest Row – Atlantic Challenge next year.
The row, which will take him 3,000 miles from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Antigua in the Carbbean, is due to start on December 12 2024, giving Vic a whole year to get into training for the feat as well as gather together his equipment, food and the support he’ll need to power him on his way.
But he is hoping for a secret weapon to keep him going for the weeks it will take him to complete the task – the goodwill and backing from his home city, which has inspired him to name his boat The City of Derby UK.
Vic unveiled his boat at a special naming event outside Derby County’s Pride Park.
A host of dignitaries, including Derby Mayor Councillor Alan Graves, Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire Liz Fothergill and the High Sheriff of Derbyshire, Theresa Peltier, joined him at the launch, alongside members of his family and well-wishers.
There were also representatives of four city charities which Vic wants to use his row to raise money for, aiming to collect £200,000 in aid of the Enthusiasm Trust, Derby County Community Trust, Derbyshire Mind and Umbrella.
All four charities have a special significance for Vic, who is a dad of three and has four grandchildren, because they each represent a different aspect of his life.
Vic says his upbringing was tough and a far cry from where he ended up in the boardroom of a Stock Market-listed company, which is why he wants to help under-privileged children through the Enthusiasm Trust and Umbrella.
He also plays walking football with DCCT Trust – he has even represented England in the sport at the over-60s level, winning five caps and captaining the side twice – and is passionate about mental health, hence why he wants to help Derbyshire Mind.
However, Vic’s rowing challenge is ultimately an undertaking that he wants to embark on for very personal reasons – to prove that he can do anything he sets his mind to.
Vic said: “I’ve taken on a few physical challenges in my time, including white collar boxing at the age of 56, but rowing the Atlantic has been an ambition of mine for many years so finally I’ve decided I’m going to take it on.
“It’s a huge challenge and I will be 70 this time next year, making me the second-oldest person ever to have taken part. However, I’m determined to show that age is just a number and I’m planning to complete the row unaided in around 75 days.
“At the same time, I want to give something back. I had a difficult childhood and I’ve had to show resilience and work hard, but life’s been good to me, so I want to raise money for four local charities so that they can help people who are having a difficult time.
“And as a proud Derby man and Derby County fan I wanted to raise the profile of the city too, which is why I’ve named the boat The City of Derby UK.”
Alongside the charity funds, also Vic also needs to raise money to cover the cost of equipment and supplies and is looking for companies who are willing to sponsor his event and have their logos displayed on the side of his boat.
Previously called the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, the World’s Toughest Row brings competitors together from around the world to race solo, in pairs or in teams.
They battle with sleep deprivation, exhaustion, 20ft waves and salt sores on their way to completing the race, which was first held in 1997 and was the subject of a BBC documentary Through Hell and High Water, starting Olympic rower James Cracknell and TV celebrity Ben Fogle.
Vic now faces a year’s worth of training as well as practice rowing his boat on the open sea. He has recently completed a seven-day training course in Devon during which he learned first aid, navigation and sea survival, which included learning what to do if he capsizes.
To find out more and sponsor Vic visit www.vicsoloatlanticrow.com.
