The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge is billed as the world’s toughest row, 3,000 miles across the Atlantic from San Sebastian in La Gomera, Canary Islands, Spain to Nelson’s Dockyard, English Harbour, Antigua & Barbuda. This year an all-female Antiguan team made history by becoming the first all-women team to represent the island and as the first Black team to row across an ocean.
The Island Girls team; Elvira Bell, Christal Clashing, Kevinia Francis, and Samara Emmanuel; departed La Gomera on December 12 and arrived in English Harbour 47 days, eight hours and 25 minutes later, on January 28th. They placed 13th out of 28 teams competing. As of this morning, six boats are still at sea bound for Antigua.
The Dutch Atlantic Four team won first place honors with a time of 34 days, 12 hours, and 9 minutes followed by the British rowing teams, Oar Inspiring and Nauti Buoys, with times of 35 and 36 days, respectively. The race attracted teams from 9 countries. Perhaps not surprising for a race sponsored by a UK distiller, 18 of the 28 teams were from the UK.