ROV Planet Magazine Issue 23

Page 19

FINISH OF THE

2019 TALISKER WHISKY ATLANTIC CHALLENGE FROM LA GOMERA TO ANTIGUA.

A team of serving Royal Navy Submariners have comp­leted the world's toughest rowing challenge. HMS Oardacious finished the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge on Saturday 18 January, after a 4,828 km row from the Canary Islands to Antigua. The team took 37 days, 6 hours and 40 minutes to comp­ lete the row, racing against 35 teams from around the world and reaching the finish line in sixth position, becoming the fastest serving military team in history to row across the Atlantic Ocean.

HMS Oardacious left San Sebastian de la Gomera on 12 December and rowed unsupported across the Atlantic Ocean. The team rowed for 2 hours and rested for 2 hours all day every day for the duration of their crossing. They faced waves over 40 feet high, salt sores, storms, sea sickness and blistering tropical sunshine. The race is considered the world's toughest row and puts the competitors to the test, both mentally and physically. Each rower consumes an average of 10 litres of water and burns up to 10,000 calories per day. The crew lost on average 16 kg each when they first stepped on land.

The four-man team has raised over £110,000 for charity to provide Mental Health and Wellbeing support to their serving, veterans and family community working with the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC) which operates to ensure a world in which sailors, marines, veterans and their families are valued and supported for life.

Courtesy of Atlantic Campaigns

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