Huge congratulations to the Atlantic Flyers who have come second in one of the world’s toughest rowing challenges; taking on the unique experience of crossing an ocean in a rowing boat!
The Atlantic Flyers, made up of Wing Commander Phil Holdcroft, Squadron Leader Sonny Roe, Flight Lieutenant Simon Berry and Flight Lieutenant Chris Carrington-Smith reached Antigua yesterday after completing the gruelling 3,000-mile Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge in just 36 days. The challenge involves more than 30 teams travelling west from San Sebastian in La Gomera, Canary Islands, to Nelson’s Dockyard English Harbour, Antigua and Barbuda.
Tim Wakefield, Chief Operations Officer, Team Army Sports Foundation said, ‘This sort of challenge epitomises what adventure is all about; pushing physical and mental boundaries. Thanks to the many companies that support Team Ethos, the charity was delighted to have been part of the journey by helping to provide much needed funding. We applaud the team’s success.’
Team Ethos is proud to have supported the Atlantic Flyers on their grueling challenge which amazingly has also raised nearly £40,000 for Starlight, a charity very close to one of the rowers and the main reason behind the team taking part in this epic rowing challenge.
How it all started …
In 2014 Wing Commander Phil Holdcroft’s daughter Isla, was diagnosed with Leukaemia at just 22 months old, “Watching your own flesh and blood walk the tightrope of life and death is more harrowing than anything I’ve experienced on the battlefields of Iraq or Afghanistan. During our darkest hour, it was the support of amazing family, friends, and wonderful charities like Starlight, that gave us the resilience and hope to conquer the seemingly impossible.”
Isla is now a thriving and happy nine year old but Phil is on a mission to raise funds and awareness for charities, such as Starlight, that made life a little bit easier for his family during Isla’s illness.
If you would like to donate to this fantastic cause visit their Justgiving page.
Images (C) Atlantic Campaigns
- Each team will row in excess of 1.5 million oar strokes over a race.
- Rowers will row for 2 hours, and sleep for 2 hours, constantly, 24 hours a day.
- More people have climbed Everest than rowed an ocean.
- At its deepest, the Atlantic Ocean is 8.5 km/5.28 miles deep.
- The waves the rowers will experience can measure up to 20 ft high.
- There are two safety yachts supporting the teams as they cross the ocean.
- Each rower is expected to use 800 sheets of toilet paper during their crossing.
- The teams are supported 24/7 by two land-based duty officers.
- Each rower needs to aim to consume 10 litres of water per day.
- Rowers burn in excess of 5,000 calories per day.
- There is no toilet on board – rowers use a bucket!
- Each rower loses on average 12 kg crossing the Atlantic!