WORLD'S TOUGHEST ROW

The 2017 Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge wrapped on 15th February 2018 with the arrival of solo Damian Browne (Gullivers Travels) after 63 days, 6 hours, and 25 minutes.

Photo: Damian Browne by Ted Martin / Atlantic Campaigns.

26 teams set off from La Gomera, Canary Islands, on 14th December 2017, and 22 successfully completed the challenge, 3000nm later in Antigua. This year’s challenge, the quickest crossing to date, saw unfortunate drop outs and rescues in the first few weeks with severe weather. Two solo rowers got caught in localized weather off La Gomera and had to abandon the challenge. One pairs team lost a rower to extreme seasickness, leaving Team Remolon continuing the challenge solo. Two pairs teams were rescued in the same day following extreme weather and seas. A number of capsizes, equipment breakages and failures, worn and battered bodies, but still 22 teams pushed through and indulged in a fitting arrival in Nelson’s Dockyard with flares going, superyacht horns blaring, and family and spectators waiting on the dock.

Photo: Team Antigua by Ben Duffy / Atlantic Campaigns.

Among the teams this year was our own Team Antigua, completing their row in second place after 30 days, 2 hours and 12 minutes, and arriving to a true Antiguan hero’s welcome. 12 hours before Team Antigua’s arrival, the record for fastest Atlantic crossing was broken by The Four Oarsmen, standing now at 29 days, 14 hours and 34 minutes. A number of records fell and were set this year, with the fastest solo, pairs and women’s crossings as well.

Check out the wrap up video of the 2017 Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge. For live videos of each arrival, head to the Atlantic Campaigns Facebook page. Stay tuned to their page for updates on the campaign and to follow the 2018 Challenge, starting in La Gomera on 12th December 2018.