Row2Recovery complete The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge!

Posted on 27/01/2012

Bookmark and Share

Row2Recovery complete The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge!

After 3,000 miles and almost two months on the high seas, the Row2Recovery team have spent their first night on dry land after completing their challenge. The team of injured British servicemen who rowed across the Atlantic crossed the finish line yesterday and arrived in Barbados to a huge welcome by locals and their families - arriving at Port St Charles to celebrations and rapturous applause. The crew, four of whom lost limbs after being blown up by IEDs whilst serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, had been taking part in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, dubbed the world's toughest rowing race, and the team's arrival in Barbados was preceded by six other teams of rowers.
During their trip they have be blighted with equipment problems including a broken autohelm, rudder and desalinator, which left them without the ability to make fresh water for two of the seven-and-a-half gruelling weeks they rowed across the Atlantic. They endured no running water, comfortable bed or toilet - and all have sores from exposure to sea salt and claw hand - the almost-arthritic effect of gripping the oars so tightly. When the boat's desalination machine broke, three weeks after they set off from La Gomera in the Canary Islands, they had no way to make fresh water to add to their food and so had to ration themselves. They ate 'snack packs' made up of sweets, cereal bars, fruit and nuts, and energy drinks for 14 days.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II sent a message of support to the Row2Recovery crew as they crossed the finish line following an epic 3000 mile journey across the Atlantic Ocean in a 29ft rowing boat. In her message, the Queen said: "Please convey my warm thanks to all the members of the Row2Recovery team on the occasion of them reaching the end of their row across the Atlantic, in aid of injured soldiers and their families.
"I heard of the trials and tribulations on your journey and, in return, I send my good wishes to you all for the successful completion of the challenge."

Row2Recovery is the brain child of former Army officers Ed Janvrin and Alex Mackenzie, who with four injured servicemen embarked on the epic 3,000 mile voyage across the Atlantic Ocean from the Canaries to Barbados to raise funds and shine a spotlight on the extraordinary achievements of people with disabilities. Their aim is to challenge misconceptions about what life is like for an injured solider and their family and to inspire others with life-altering injuries to realise their potential. The other crew members are Lieutenant Will Dixon (left leg amputated following an explosion in Afghanistan), Corporal Neil Heritage (both legs amputated above the knee in Iraq), Corporal Rory Mackenzie (right leg amputated in Iraq) and Lance Corporal Carl Anstey (badly damaged right leg in Afghanistan).

They’ve already raised over £700,000 of the £1 millon target, which will be distributed between three UK military charities: Help for Heroes, the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) and ABF – The Soldiers’ Charity.