ill face potentially their sternest test when they take on New Zealand in Melbourne on Sunday but Layton said the Silver Ferns clash was far from her mind.We

DAKAR, Senegal -- Former British police officer Ben Hooper hopes to make history by swimming every mile of the Atlantic Ocean from Africa to South America. After more than three years of preparation, he set off on Sunday.The 38-year-old walked down a beach in Dakar and into the Atlantic Ocean, launching a swim for 1,635 nautical miles, or nearly 2,000 land miles (3,200 kilometers), from Senegal to Brazil.This is for my daughter, said Hooper, who filled a water bottle with sand to keep for the 8-year-old who he said inspired the swim. Its been a long time coming.Flanked by two boats and a crew of less than a dozen, Hooper aims to be the first person to swim every mile of the Atlantic Ocean from continent to continent, stepping on land again in March.He says he trained three years as he gathered a crew for the Big Blue, the main boat on which he will eat and sleep when he is not swimming for about eight hours each day through waters infested with sharks and jellyfish.Water has loomed large in his life.I nearly drowned when I was 5 in a swimming pool in Belgium, Hooper told The Associated Press. Ever since ... Ive had this affinity with water. It was the calmest Ive ever felt.Hooper said he had a bout of depression about 3 1/2 years ago and decided to turn his life around for his daughter. So he looked to water.Nobody had swum a full ocean. More people have landed on the moon than have tried this, so at that point I thought maybe this is my calling, said Hooper. If I can inspire myself, other people and raise money for charity, why not do it?Inspired by British explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Hooper said he hopes to motivate others, especially children, to swim.Funding for the expedition has taken time, and the launch was set back several times as various crew members dropped out and the boats faced mechanical issues.This will be a major achievement overall, said Nigel Taylor-Schofield, the captain of Big Blue. If anybody can accomplish this, it would be Ben. He is very determined.The crew, including a paramedic, will track the miles, and Hooper has said if he gets to Brazil with the help of currents, he will swim until he fulfills the full Atlantic mileage.The challenges, be it marine life, dehydration, and more, will be vast, but Hooper says his biggest fear is letting the team and his daughter down. Hell listen to a playlist on customized earphones that he said will include eurotrash music, Eminem and The Scripts Hall of Fame. Hooper will also wear various gear that helps camouflage him from sharks, and a tracking device so supporters can follow his nearly five-month swim online.Around 10:30 a.m. on the beach outside the Monaco Plage hotel in Dakar, Hooper and the crew were ready.See you in Brazil, he said, before eventually swimming off into the sunlit waters toward his goal.---http://www.swimthebigblue.com/--Follow Carley Petesch on Twitter at www.twitter.com/carleypetesch Montravius Adams Super Bowl Jersey .Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres have placed centre Cody Hodgson on injured reserve and recalled two players from their AHL affiliate in Rochester. Marquez Valdes-Scantling Super Bowl Jersey . Uniteds eighth defeat of a wretched campaign means Liverpool, which currently occupies the fourth and final Champions League place, could go nine points clear of its fierce rival by beating West Bromwich Albion on Sunday. Charlie Adam scored both of Stokes goals at Britannia Stadium either side of Robin van Persies equalizer, with a miserable day for seventh-place United capped by first-half injuries to centre halves Jonny Evans and Phil Jones that forced them off. http://www.officialgreenbaypackerspro.com/Oren-burks-packers-jersey/ . Philadelphia is 2-0 against the Senators this season and scored five goals in each victory. The Flyers recorded a 5-0 win in Ottawa on Nov. 12 and then earned a 5-2 home decision on Nov. 19. The Flyers have claimed three straight and four of the last five encounters with the Sens overall and Philly has won two in a row and three of its past four tests in Canadas capital city. Dean Lowry Super Bowl Jersey . Wall made the comment in a speech to a Regina business crowd that included Lesnar. The U.S. wrestler and retired mixed martial artist says he was visiting his brothers farm in Saskatchewan and decided he wanted to hear what the premier had to say. Jamaal Williams Super Bowl Jersey . -- Stanfords Kevin Danser knelt on one knee and hardly moved on the sideline as Michigan State celebrated its Rose Bowl victory and his Cardinal teammates made their way to the locker room. Australias Diamonds have dismissed talk of complacency as they prepare to take on England in the Netball Quad Series on Wednesday.The world champion Diamonds thumped South Africa 68-43 in Saturdays opening fixture of the international netball season in Auckland.It was a different story a couple of hours later for England, who were smashed 65-39 by hosts New Zealand.Wednesdays clash in Adelaide follows the Diamonds handing the Roses a 3-0 series drubbing during their tour of England in January.But Diamonds defender Sharni Layton says the world No.3 Roses, led by new captain Ama Agbeze, shouldnt be underestimated.I think with England, theyre constantly building and they always bring their best against us, Layton said.Their speed, their movement of the ball ... were definitely going to have to be on target.We had a really slow start against South Africa and we cant allow that against England because we know theyll get a jump on us.The Diamonds used all 12 players in their squad in their win over the Proteeas and blooded two debutants in Kristiana Manua and Stephanie Wood.ddddddddddddThey will face potentially their sternest test when they take on New Zealand in Melbourne on Sunday but Layton said the Silver Ferns clash was far from her mind.We watched the game afterwards between the Ferns and England, Layton said.The Ferns are looking great but well get to them when we need to.We cant get ahead of ourselves.Diamonds shooters Caitlyn Bassett and Caitlyn Thwaites loom as major stumbling blocks to Englands hopes of improving their recent record against Australia.The 193cm Bassett and 188cm Thwaites, playing a half each in Auckland, scored a combined 51 points in the Diamonds win over South Africa.Layton identified tough England defender Agbeze and experienced shooter Jo Harten as key threats for the Roses, who defeated Jamaica to claim the bronze medal in last years World Cup. 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