The UK's second largest airline, bmi, is showing its support for two very brave celebrities!

Double Olympic Gold medallist, James Cracknell, and TV presenter and adventurer, Ben Fogle, are taking on the Atlantic Ocean in the world's most challenging rowing race, and bmi has signed up to sponsor the boys' quest.

The pair has just set sail from San Sebastien in La Gomera, where they will compete against 29 other teams to cross the 2,935 miles of lonely and dangerous water, to the finishing line of Nelson's Dockyard in Antigua.

These brave guys will see nothing but water for around 50 days, lose between 2 and 3 stone, eat and drink only what they can carry on the boat, sleep for no more than three hours at a time and miss Christmas and New Year with their family and friends.

bmi is a proud sponsor of this quest and will be flying members of the boys' families to meet them at the finish line and to fly the boys home in style at the end of the race in January 2006.

Services to Antigua depart from Manchester on bmi's A330 long haul Airbus and passengers can chose from three cabins - economy, premium economy and the business complete with bmi's unique on board chef.

For lowest fare visit www.flybmi.com. Terms and conditions apply.

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For further information, photography or to speak to a bmi representative, please contact Gemma Bilton at Mere Communication Ltd on 0161 929 8700 or e-mail gemmab@mere.co.uk