Atlantic Rowing Race


The Atlantic Rowing Race is an ocean rowing race from the Canary Islands to the West Indies, a distance of approximately 2,550 nm. The race was founded in 1997 by Sir Chay Blyth with subsequent races roughly every two years since. The early races were run by Challenge Business Ltd. until the race was bought by Woodvale Events Ltd., managed by Simon Chalk, in October 2003. In May 2012, Atlantic Campaigns SL, managed by Carsten Heron Olsen bought the rights to the Atlantic Rowing Race, now called The "Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge" - The World's Toughest Row. Since 2015, the race has been held annually starting each December.

1997 - Port St. Charles Rowing Race

For more race details, see: 1997 Port St. Charles Rowing Race

2001 - Ward Evans Atlantic Rowing Race

For more race details, see: 2001 Ward Evans Atlantic Rowing Race

2003 - Woodvale Atlantic Rowing Race

For more race details, see: 2003 Woodvale Atlantic Rowing Race

2004 - Ocean Rowing Society Atlantic Rowing Regatta

For more race details, see: 2004 Woodvale Atlantic Rowing Race

2005 - Woodvale Atlantic Rowing Race

For more race details, see: 2005 Woodvale Atlantic Rowing Race

2007 - Woodvale Atlantic Rowing Race

For more race details, see: 2007 Woodvale Atlantic Rowing Race

2009/2010 - Woodvale Atlantic Rowing Race

For more race details, see: 2010 Woodvale Atlantic Rowing Race

2011 - Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge

For more race details, see: 2011 Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge

2013 - Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge

For more race details, see: 2013 Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge

2015 - Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge

For more race details, see: 2015 Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge

2016 - Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge

For more race details, see: 2016 Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge

2017 - Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge

For more race details, see: 2017 Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge

2018 - Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge

For more race details, see: 2018 Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge

2019 - Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge

For more race details, see: 2019 Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge

Current Race Records

Ocean rowing records are maintained by the Ocean Rowing Society.
CategoryRace YearTimeRowersTeamSpecial Note
Traditional Single201552 days, 3 hr, 26 minMatteo PerucchiniSogno Atlantico
Traditional Double200340 days, 4 hr, 3 minJames Fitzgerald
Kevin Biggar
Holiday Shoppe Challenge
Traditional Trio201651 days, 1 hr, 13 minStuart Connacher
Charl Gale
Wayne Johnson
Facing It
Traditional Four
Concept Single201649 days, 11 hr, 37 minGavan HenniganSoulogav
Concept Double201937 days, 7 hr, 54 minDave Spelman
Max Thorpe
Resilient:XGuinness World Record for
the fastest row across the
Atlantic E-W by a team of Two
Concept Trio201649 days, 14 hr, 4 minMike Matson
David Alviar
Brian Krauskopf
American OarsmenGuinness World Record for
the first & fastest row across the
Atlantic E-W by a team of Three
Concept Four201729 days, 14 hr, 34 minPeter Robinson
Stuart Watts
George Biggar
Richard Taylor
The Four OarsmenGuinness World Record for
the fastest row across the
Atlantic E-W by a team of Four