PHILADELPHIA – (Sept. 13, 1998) – Amid the cheers of friends and well wishers, American Tori Murden arrived Philadelphia today after establishing a world record for the longest time at sea by a woman solo rower.

Since departing Nags Head, N.C., on June 14, Murden rowed 2,653 nautical miles in 85 days – spending more consecutive days alone at sea than any other woman rower. She has also established the record for the most miles rowed solo by any American -- man or woman.

Hurricane Danielle brought an end to her solo attempt to cross the North Atlantic when international emergency forces coordinated a daring rescue 950 miles west of Brest, France, her target destination.

Murden was picked up Sept. 7 by the Independent Spirit, a container merchant vessel bound for Philadelphia, after a two-day, near-death encounter with Hurricane Danielle.

"I am doing just fine," Murden reported. "I was knocked around quite a bit. I tore a rotator cuff in my right shoulder, but it will heal."

Danielle mercilessly battered Murden’s 23-foot rowboat, the sector no limits™ American Pearl, with 30-foot waves last weekend. "The first day of Danielle, the 5th, was horrific," said Murden. "I capsized 11 times over a 12 to 14 hour period."

Although Murden said Sept. 6 was significantly calmer, she capsized again during daylight hours. But as the front passed and the waves became steeper, Murden capsized three more times that evening.

The sector no limits™ American Pearl is designed to self-right and self-bale after capsizing.

"The last capsize before I decided to end the row, I was pitch poled," she said. "The boat went end over end. The sea anchor was tangled over the bow. I was convinced I would die."

According to reports, Murden’s emergency signal was received at 4:45 a.m. GMT, Sept. 7. An RAF aircraft was dispatched from Scotland and spotted Murden aboard her boat. The Falmouth, U.K. coast guard asked the Independent Spirit to change course and answer the distress signal. Attempts to salvage Murden’s rowboat failed due to rough sea conditions.

"After I boarded the Independent Spirit, I reviewed a weather map," said Murden. "A force 10 grade gale was heading straight at us, and I realized I would not survive another storm. I realized it was not my time."

Murden was just five weeks short of completing her projected journey. If successful, she would have become the first woman and first American to row solo across and ocean.

When asked whether she would attempt the journey again, Murden did not rule out the possibility. "But it’s a lot to ask of my friends," she said.

Murden is sponsored by Sector Sport Watches, as part of the company’s "No Limits" philosophy. Providing ongoing support and technical assistance to extreme athletes and adventurers worldwide, Sector encourages individuals who dare test the outer limits of human endurance.

Last year, Peggy Bouchet of France spent 80 days alone at sea when she attempted an east to west crossing of the Atlantic Ocean. Bouchet was rescued 120 miles east of Guadeloupe, her target destination.

13 September 1998

Contact: Kevin Plagman, Shannon Matus or Susan Barnes

Communications West

1426 Eighteenth Street, San Francisco, Calif. 94107

Telephone: 415-863-7220 Fax: 415-621-2907

E-mail: comwest@comwest.com