OWs Harry Hearn and Tom Phillips, UK team Oardacity complete the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge 2020 – the ‘World’s Toughest Row

UK team Oardacity have arrived (in 4th place) in Antigua after completing this year’s Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, which they rowed for Mental Health. Their two beneficiary charities are Mind and The Christina Noble Children’s Foundation. The four boat completed the 3,000 mile Atlantic crossing in 40 days, 6 hours and 35 minutes from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Antigua in the Caribbean. The team witnessed 50ft waves, pods of dolphins and firework displays of comets.

The team are so close to reaching their fundraising goal, if you would like to donate then please do so here.

The team placed 4th in the race class in a fleet of 20 other boat UK four boat Oardacity have completed the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, the world’s toughest rowing
race.

The four friends – Harry Hearn (Hl 03), Ed Batchelor, Alex Soskin and Tom Phillips (Hg 04) – completed the 3,000 mile rowing race in 40 days, 6 hours, 35 minutes, arriving in English Harbour, Antigua on Thursday 21st January – the first dry land the team have seen since departing from La Gomera in the Canary Islands over 40 days ago on 12th December.

It was not easy completing the challenge this year with COVID-19 but the team rose to the challenge. This year’s weather conditions were extremely difficult, with unfavorably strong winds and baking temperatures. The team also experienced incredible wildlife sighting during their journey – witnessing pods of dolphins, fin whales, dorado and tuna fish. They rowed under the brilliant night sky with outstanding comets and had an encounter with a French family on their sailing boat only a week into the race. The incredible highs and lows of this challenge result in a life changing experience and have lived up to the rowers expectations. Speaking in Antigua after the race, Skipper Harry said: “We started this journey three years ago as great mates, we left La Gomera on 12th December as great mates and we’ve arrived today even better mates and that’s the most special thing in the entire world.”

A link to the full arrival interview can be found here.