world's toughest yacht race

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Vendée Globe: Everything you need to know about the world’s toughest sailing race

Charal was one of the favourites going into the 2020 Vendée Globe, but suffered a major setback early on. Photo: Damien Meyer / Getty Images

Founded by French yachtsman Philippe Jeantot in 1989, the Vendée Globe is a single-handed non-stop round the world yacht race.

More people have been into space than have finished the Vendée, earning it the reputation as the world’s toughest sailing race.

Since 1992, the Vendée Globe has taken place every four years. The race sets off from its start / finish port of Les Sables d’Olonne, on the Atlantic coast of France, in November in order to avoid the worst of the Southern Ocean weather by sailing the Southern Ocean stage of the race in the Southern Hemisphere summer.

Who is racing in the 2024 Vendée Globe?

The 2020 Vendée Globe race, its ninth edition, was perhaps the most successful ever: it saw 33 entries, a record number of new foiling designs, and the lowest ever number of abandonments.

In previous editions of the Vendée Globe the attrition rate usually sees around 40% of skippers retire before completing the course. One skipper, Canadian Gerry Roufs, died attempting the race in 1997.

Previous winners include Francois Gabart, who also holds the solo around the world record, and Michel Desjoyeaux, the only man to win it twice. 

Usually the winner is the first sailor to cross the finish line. However, the winner of the 2020 race, Yannick Bestaven was awarded time redress for his part in the rescue of fellow Vendée sailor Kevin Escoffier which saw him awarded first place.

Entries opened for the 2024 Vendée Globe in February 2022 and will remain open until October 2023. 

The initial notice of race for the next Vendée Globe allows a record entry of 40 boats to complete. The 2024 race is likely to be oversubscribed, with keen competition in the qualifying races. The rules prohibit older IMOCA 60s from competing with 2008 generation boats being the oldest allowed.

Purchasing an ‘old’ IMOCA 60 has long been a way into the event for the skippers with lower funding levels than the ‘premiere’ teams who are looking to build a latest generation IMOCA 60. However, when Yannick Bestaven won the 2020 event on Maître CoQ , a 2016 generation foiler , it fuelled the values of recent IMOCA 60 s that are tried and tested, competitive and ready to fine-tune right away.

At the start of 2022 55 skippers had indicated their intention to compete in the event, though the initial list is usually whittled down over time as sailors struggle to find adequate funding or complete the qualification miles. 

As such there are many from that list who will not be able to enter the event. But there are also several sailors who have already confirmed their funding with a sponsor, and / or have a new boat in build, all of whom are very likely to be on the startline. 

The most likely 2024 Vendée Globe entrants so far include:

Sailor – Sponsor / Boat Name – Designer (year launched)

Antoine Cornic (FRA) – TBC – Owen-Clarke (2008) Isabelle Joschke (FRA) – TBC – VPLP – Verdier (2008) Manuel Cousin (FRA) – Groupe Sétin – Farr (2008) Romain Attanasio (FRA) – Fortis-Best Western – VPLP – Verdier (2016) Pip Hare (GBR) – Medallia – VPLP – Verdier (2016) Benjamin Dutreux (FRA) – TBC – VPLP – Verdier (2016) Damien Seguin (FRA) – Group Apecil – VPLP – Verdier (2016) Fabrice Amedeo (FRA) – Newrest – Art & Fenêtres – VPLP – Verdier (2016) Alan Roura (SUI) – TBC – VPLP – Pete Hobson (2020) Clarisse Crémer (FRA) – Banque Populaire XII – Guillaume Verdier (2020) Kojiro Shiraishi (JPN) – DMG Mori Global One – VPLP (2020) Armel Tripon (FRA) – TBC – VPLP (New) Boris Herrmann (GER) – Team Malizia – VPLP (New) Charlie Dalin (FRA) – Apivia – Guillaume Verdier (New) Jérémie Beyou (FRA) – Charal – Sam Manuard (New) Kevin Escoffier (FRA) – PRB – Guillaume Verdier (New) Samantha Davies (GBR) – Initiatives-Cœur – Sam Manuard (New) Maxime Sorel (FRA) – V&B, Monbana, Mayenne – Guillaume Verdier (New) Yannick Bestaven (FRA) – Maitre Coq V – Guillaume Verdier (New) Yoann Richomme (FRA) – Arkea Paprec – Antoine Koch / Finot Conq (New) Thomas Ruyant (FRA) – TBC – Antoine Koch (New)

What is the route for the 2024 Vendée Globe?

After departing from Les Sables d’Olonne on 10 November, the racers sail across the Atlantic and head south along the east coast of South America to avoid the South Atlantic High.

Upon entering the Southern Ocean, they will head east past the Cape of Good Hope and Australia’s Cape Leeuwin before sailing across the Pacific and rounding Cape Horn.

A final return journey back up the Atlantic follows Cape Horn as the sailors make their way to the finish off Sables d’Olonne. 

Follow the links below to read all the latest Vendée Globe news, features and analysis right here on yachtingworld.com

Clarisse Crémer cleared following Vendée cheating accusations

• March 4, 2024

Clarisse Crémer has been cleared of any misconduct following anonymous accusations that she cheated during the 2020/21 Vendée Globe by discussing routing options with her husband, Tanguy Le Turquais. The…

Two new IMOCA skippers who will be fighting at the front of the next Vendée Globe

• February 20, 2024

One year before the 2024 Vendée Globe, two back to back transatlantic races – the classic double-handed Transat Jacques Vabre Normandie Le Havre race to Martinique, closely followed by the…

“I never cheated” Clarisse Cremer denies rumours of Vendee Globe routing

• February 15, 2024

Clarisse Cremer, who finished 12th in the 2020/21 Vendée Globe, has posted a firm rebuttal of anonymous accusations that she cheated during the solo around the world race by discussing…

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• November 28, 2023

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World’s fastest monohull: Malizia-Seaexplorer IMOCA 60

• August 17, 2023

Followers of the IMOCA 60 fleet will know that two names have dominated the class over the past two generations when it comes to design: VPLP and Verdier. So, it’s no…

Clarisse Crémer confirms new Vendée Globe sponsor, Alex Thomson heads team

• April 19, 2023

It has been confirmed that Clarisse Crémer’s Vendée Globe campaign is back on with L’Occitane en Provence stepping in as headline sponsor, while British five-time Vendée Globe veteran Alex Thomson…

Alex Thomson buys Banque Populaire IMOCA, but skipper still to be confirmed

• March 22, 2023

British four-time Vendée Globe competitor Alex Thomson has announced that his team has agreed to purchase the IMOCA 60 which Clarisse Cremer was set to race in the 2024 Vendée Globe before she…

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• March 13, 2023

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Vendée Globe: Meet the British skippers due to compete in 2024

• March 8, 2023

As the 2024 Vendée Globe draws ever closer it looks like British fans will have plenty to shout about in the next edition as a bumper number of British skippers…

Banque Populaire drops out of the 2024 Vendée Globe

• February 17, 2023

In early February Clarisse Cremer broke the news she had been dropped as skipper for the 2024 Vendée Globe by her sponsor Banque Populaire. Now, following a month of terrible…

The ‘motherhood penalty’? Controversy as Vendée Globe skipper Clarisse Cremer loses sponsor

• February 3, 2023

IMOCA skipper Clarisse Cremer, who has recently given birth to her first child, has been controversially dropped by her sponsor Banque Populaire ahead of the 2024 Vendée Globe. Cremer, who…

Alex Thomson backs ‘rookie’ Canada ocean racing campaign 

• August 23, 2022

When solo ocean racing skipper Alex Thomson announced that he was stepping aside from competitive sailing after the 2020 Vendée Globe, he didn’t give many clues as to what he…

Kevin Escoffier: Tough guy of the sea

• August 22, 2022

We all know how French solo skippers get so darn good. They move from youth sailing to Mini Transat and Figaro classes, where they drill for years. Then the lucky…

Alex Thomson stands down as Vendée Globe skipper

• October 25, 2021

British sailor Alex Thomson has announced he won’t compete as a skipper in the 2024 Vendée Globe, the solo, non-stop race around-the-world, but doesn’t rule out returning to the race…

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If ever the stars aligned to see a sport’s popularity grow exponentially, they did so for the recent story of double-handed racing offshore. Societal changes, a brief hint of a…

Vendée Globe: Race on for 2024 entries

• August 2, 2021

The 2020 Vendée Globe race, its ninth edition, was perhaps the most successful ever: it saw 33 entries, a record number of new foiling designs, the lowest ever number of…

Pip Hare gets ‘dream’ foiling IMOCA for 2024 Vendée Globe

• May 13, 2021

British Vendée Globe sailor Pip Hare today announced that she has renewed her partnership with Medallia, and bought a foiling IMOCA for her 2024 Vendée Globe campaign. The news will…

Mid-ocean repairs: Vendée Globe sailors tell all

• May 4, 2021

Some of the damage we saw at the Vendée Globe finish was simply staggering, yet this edition was also remarkable for its small number of retirements. Many boats suffered major…

What we learned from our Pip Hare Ask Me Anything on YBW

• April 23, 2021

On April 22nd, Vendée Globe hero and the first British sailor to finish the 2020/21 solo non stop round the world race, Pip Hare was our second special guest in…

Kirsten Neuschäfer makes history in toughest global solo yacht race

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The world’s toughest round-the-world solo yacht race has been won by a woman for the first time. Kirsten Neuschäfer, a 40-year-old skipper from South Africa, took 233 days to complete the Golden Globe Race. Participants (who were all male apart from Neuschäfer) set off from the west coast of France in September, and were due to sail non-stop around the world via the five Great Capes. By the time Neuschäfer got back to France last week, she was one of just three sailors left from the starting 16. “I’m very happy,” she said, “but I entered as a sailor and being a woman is just secondary.”

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Olympian swimmers including Ellie Simmonds and Adam Peaty are backing a new pop-up pool scheme designed to help more children learn to swim. Starting in the West Midlands, the temporary pools will be installed in marquees in the grounds of selected primary schools, many of them in areas where there are no public pools within easy striking distance. The aim is to teach pupils to swim 25 metres. Currently, almost a third of Year 6 children are unable to swim.

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The Royal Horticultural Society is offering free digital access to 10,000 treasures from its archive. The items in its new online library, many of which are too fragile to handle, include books, photographs and herbarium specimens spanning 500 years of gardening history. Among the highlights are an 1876 seed book containing prints of rare vegetable varieties, and Capability Brown’s account book, which reveals in elegant handwriting that the king paid him £500 on 26 April 1765, but notes that it had been “due in March”.

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3 Months And 24,000 Miles Later, Vendée Globe Competitors Complete Race

Eleanor Beardsley

After sailing 24,000 miles nonstop in a nearly three-month journey, competitors in the Vendée Globe — an around-the-world solo yacht race — are expected to finish at a French port on Wednesday.

AILSA CHANG, HOST:

An exciting end tonight to the world's toughest sailing race as the leading boats cross the line in an unusually close finish. The solo nonstop race around the world is ending where it began, on the western coast of France, 80 days and more than 24,000 miles ago. NPR's Eleanor Beardsley reports.

ELEANOR BEARDSLEY, BYLINE: French sailor Charlie Dalin was the first to arrive in the port of Les Sables-d'Olonne on France's Atlantic coast.

(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)

UNIDENTIFIED GROUP: Charlie. Charlie.

BEARDSLEY: As he took his first steps on land in 2 1/2 months, fans screamed out his name, and cameras snapped away. His arrival into the Bay of Biscay in the dark was broadcast on the French nightly news and streamed online. Dalin crossed the finish line in 80 days, six hours, 15 minutes and 47 seconds. Andi Robertson, a spokesman for the race, said the 36-year-old Vendee Globe rookie clearly has what it takes.

ANDI ROBERTSON: I think self-reliance is the primary requirement and obviously substantial ocean racing experience. And it tends to be the absolute pinnacle of a solo ocean racer's career.

BEARDSLEY: The grueling conditions of the race took their toll. Eight skippers were forced to drop out after their yachts were damaged. One sailor's boat was split in half during a storm off the Cape of Good Hope. Andi Robertson.

ROBERTSON: It's about avoiding the worst of the big winds with - in this race, we've seen 50 to 60 knots at times and use the best of the systems to go fast.

BEARDSLEY: This is the most competitive race since the Vendee Globe began in 1989. Nine of the top boats are racing to the finish within 600 miles of each other.

UNIDENTIFIED COMMENTATOR: (Speaking French).

BEARDSLEY: French commentators said the sailors were arriving in a pack as if they'd been out on a little excursion, not 80 days around the planet. Just because Dalin crossed the line first doesn't mean he'll win. Three other skippers close behind him have time bonuses after rescuing that sailor whose boat split in two. So the winner won't be known until their final times are in.

Eleanor Beardsley, NPR News, Paris.

Copyright © 2021 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information.

NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.

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• Yachting Monthly
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The 2023-24 Ocean Globe Race

• November 2, 2023

In the spirit of the Whitbread, 14 yachts from 23 different countries set off from Cowes to compete in The Ocean Globe Race 2023-24

Hundreds of spectator boats cheered the start of the Ocean Globe Race on Sunday 10 September, as 14 iconic yachts raced through the line off Cowes, at the start of a 27,000-mile global circumnavigation in the spirit of the 1973 Whitbread Round the World Race.

A flotilla of well-wishers, including Britain’s largest working steamship, Shieldhall, waved and clapped the fleet to the starting line opposite the Royal Yacht Squadron on the Isle of Wight, where Sir Chay Blyth, a fellow circumnavigator, fired the starting gun.

The race celebrates the 50th anniversary of the first Whitbread Round the World Race, which means taking on the world’s toughest oceans without modern technology, using no computers, satellites, GPS, or high-tech materials for navigational aids.

The Whitbread Round the World Race started from Portsmouth in 1973 following in the route of the great Clipper ships. It was the first fully crewed global yacht race, capturing the heart of the British public, and the forerunner of the Volvo Ocean Race and the Ocean Race.

Translated 9 was previously raced as ADC Accutrac by British skipper Clare Francis, who took fifth place in the 1977 Whitbread Round the World Race. Photo: Studio Borlenghi/Luca Butto

Explorer, AU (28) was first over the line in light winds, followed by Spirit of Helsinki, FI (71) and Translated 9, IT (09). The only British entry, Maiden, GB (03) was on the other side of the line in fourth position. This was only the start, however, and there were still 27,000 miles to go.

‘What an amazing sight to witness 14 teams recreating history, stepping back in time and setting off around the world on a grand adventure in the spirit of the original 1973 Whitbread,’ said Don McIntyre, Ocean Globe Race founder and sponsor.

Seven of the boats competing have taken part in one or more of the past Whitbread races: Maiden, Pen Duick VI, FR (14), Esprit d’Équipe, FR (85), Neptune, FR (56), Outlaw, AU, (08) and Translated 9, IT (09), formerly ADC Accutrac skippered to 5th place by Clare Francis in the 1977 Whitbread.

A wave from the crew of L’Esprit d’Equipe. Photo: Studio Borlenghi/Luca Butto

Father’s legacy

It was an emotional sight to see skipper Marie Tabarly at the helm of Pen Duick VI following the same route as her father 50 years ago on the same yacht. Pen Duick VI was dismasted twice in the 1973 Whitbread when skippered by Marie’s father, Éric Tabarly.

One of the most notable teams is the Farr 58, Maiden. In 1990, Tracy Edwards, now MBE, triumphantly brought home the first ever all-female Whitbread crew onboard Maiden to Ocean Village Marina, Southampton. At the time, it was estimated that almost 50,000 people came to witness this momentous event, which helped to turn the tide on women’s participation in sailing.

In this edition, Maiden again set sail with an all-female crew under skipper Heather Thomas, firstly to win, but also to highlight the work of the Maiden Factor Foundation, a charity started by Tracy to support communities to enable girls into education, helping them to reach their full potential and create better futures for all.

L’Esprit d’Equipe at the start of the race. Photo: Studio Borlenghi/Luca Butto

Helicopter evacuation

A week after the start, an injured crewman, Stéphane Raguenes, from the French yacht Triana (66) was evacuated by long-range helicopter in a dramatic rescue 225 miles from the island of Madeira. Stéphane had slipped on deck in heavy weather causing a severe laceration to the back of his leg.

At the time, 4m waves made a transfer to a nearby container ship impossible and skipper Jean d’Arthuys planned to continue to Madeira to seek medical treatment.

But D’Arthuys raised the alert to Code Red the following morning and requested a helicopter evacuation after Stéphane’s condition deteriorated overnight. The long-range rescue was carried out later that day and Raguenes was successfully helicoptered to hospital in Madeira.

The same day, another entrant Godspeed, (01) USA, contacted OGR race control reporting their boom had developed a six-inch crack in the middle following a few days of heavy weather. The team has now diverted to Lisbon to begin repairs.

French rivals L’Esprit d’Equipe and Evrika passing the Needles en route to Cape Town. Photo: Studio Borlenghi/Luca Butto

Crew diversity

The 218 sailors taking part in the race – 65 women and 153 men ranging from 17 to 73 years in age – come from 23 different countries and include: 96 crew from France, 31 from Finland, 18 from the UK, 18 from the US, 11 from Italy and six from South Africa. The diverse crews taking part are united by a passion to live a life less ordinary.

This OGR is dominated by the French; five of the yachts, Triana (skipper Jean d’Arthuys), Evrika (skipper Dominique Dubois), Neptune (Tanneguy Raffray), Pen Duick VI (Marie Tabarly), and former winner L’Esprit D’Equipe (Lionel Regnier) sail under the French flag.

With so much emphasis on youth – invigorating though it is, we do live in an ageing society. There are many sailors who will warm to surgeon Tanneguy Raffray’s initiative for including Bertrand Delhom among his crew.

Delhom has had many medical misfortunes throughout his life, including a partial amputation of his foot which has left chronic residual pain. He is no stranger to depression. Raffray describes Delhom’s diagnosis with Parkinson’s Disease as ‘the last knife’. Delhom volunteers as an instructor for other disabled sailors and asked Raffray to accept him on board Neptune to give hope to others. They have worked together on a programme of physical and psychological exercises to strengthen Delhom for the voyage and have also made various modifications to Neptune to provide additional hand holds.

Raffray will write about the experience for both the medical and popular press when they return.

The oldest OGR entrant, Campbell Mackie, 73, mentoring Spirit of Adelaide’s youngest crew member, India Syms, 18. Photo: Studio Borlenghi/Luca Butto

Strong British contingent

Though Maiden is the UK’s only entrant, there are other British sailors scattered through the fleet.

Some have signed up to sail a single leg, others are ‘rounders’. Simon Curwen, who took line honours in the recent Golden Globe Race, is sailing the first two legs on board the Italian yacht Translated 9. He sounds slightly surprised to be there and agrees that this is a significant departure from his usual solo racing.

The invitation to join Translated 9 came so soon after the GGR last year that Curwen had turned it down. His wife Clare encouraged him to think again. He is sailing with Vittorio Malingri, whose father and uncle have both done the race, and who is joined by his son Nico. Owner Marco Trombetti is the co-skipper, and his wife and business partner, Isabelle Audrieu, will sail with them for a leg.

A hive of activity and excitement aboard Pen Duick VI as the crew get her off to a good start with Marie Tabarly at the helm. Photo: Studio Borlenghi/Luca Butto

Jill Comber, sailing the whole race on the Australian yacht Explorer, has a hunch that her skills as a CEO of a successful company will prove transferable to challenges of life on board. She took up sailing as a single mother looking for something she and her nine-year-old son could do together. He’s now an adult, seeking his own adventures.

Since selling her company Jill has done as much ocean sailing as she can and sees the OGR as a way to accelerate her learning about herself. ‘It feels like throwing my life up into the air and wondering where it will come down.’ Her role on board is crew co-ordinator, something very necessary as Explorer has crew joining and leaving at every stage. Some they haven’t even met yet.

Terry Kavanagh, the sole Irishman in the OGR, sailing on Explorer as first mate, agrees with Jill about business skills being transferable. He’s still part way through a slow circumnavigation with his wife Jac and is an unexpected convert to racing. This January they took part in the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers. However, Terry was inspired by Don McIntyre’s concept of the OGR and, as Jac had already raced round the world via the Clipper fleet, they agreed to leave their yacht in the West Indies and sign on. While Terry sails this race with skipper Mark ‘Captain Coconut’ Sinclair, Jac has joined the shore-based team, managing PR.

Maiden’s all-female crew range in age from age 18 to 42, with skipper, Heather Thomas, 26 (fifth from left), at the helm for the OGR. Photo: Studio Borlenghi/Luca Butto

Good to see the Brits

Tom Napper, first mate on Pen Duick VI, has found that the best way to have a career in sailing is to be at the right place and jump on opportunities. He’s a sailor and rigger from Cornwall who started his career afloat when he was two. His mother, a single parent and district midwife, often needed people to look after her hyperactive child and was relieved to discover that the motion of a boat helped him sleep.

He first met skipper Marie Tabarly when racing in Monaco and kept in touch until a message arrived last year, ‘We need to go and drink coffee.’ Tom joined Pen Duick VI in November and has found his French crewmates welcoming – though Sir Chay Blyth muttered that it was ‘Good to see a Brit on board,’ Aurora Sillars (23) is the youngest member on board the South African entry Sterna. This is owned by a new adventure sailing company, Allspice Yachting, which hopes to use the race to gain recognition and also undertake environmentally useful projects.

Her owner, Dr Gerrit Louw, is a former academic specialising in geo-informatics, and the boat’s main sponsor is Inclusive Carbon Standard, which aims to reduce the cost of carbon credits and supply food and trees for Africa. Aurora’s personal project is plankton collection. Sterna was the first yacht in the fleet to achieve the Green Card for passing all safety checks. She also has the lowest handicap.

Maiden’s all-female crew are likely to maintain resilience. Photo: Studio Borlenghi/Luca Butto

Lucy Frost on the Australian yacht Outlaw is clear about her motivation – ‘Sailing puts a smile on my face.’ She began sailing when IVF failed and it was clear that she could never have children. ‘You can do anything now,’ her sister told her. Fast forward to the OGR 23 and Lucy was one of the initial five investors in Outlaw, a cooperatively owned yacht.

Their skipper, Campbell Mackie (73) is the oldest person in the race and, like Tapio Lehtinen, still feels inspired by the legacy of the tea clippers and grain racers. Lucy has sailed on Maiden and believes that there are still many ways in which women in sailing are at a significant disadvantage. She welcomes the OGR quota system.

Pen Duick VI under way. Photo: Studio Borlenghi/Luca Butto

Multi-skilled crews

Emma Walker is the sole British woman on the US veterans’ yacht Godspeed. She’s an inveterate adventurer who has spent much of her life backpacking but has also served in both the Royal Navy (as an engineer) and RAF (as a photographer). She has little sailing experience but discovered that her talent for logistics is valuable when getting the all-veteran crew motivated and jobs completed. She will also use her experience as a photographer to document the trip.

Godspeed is owned by Skeleton Crew Adventures, a charity founded by skipper Taylor Grieger. Grieger suffered from PTSD after his military service and has already made a fundraising film, Hell or High Seas, (available on Amazon) about his attempt to round Cape Horn. They still have fundraising to do in order to complete this race. Emma says her experience so far is like being back in the service family; ‘We’ve got each other’s backs.’

Galiana WithSecure testing how many sails you can hoist at once

The Swan 57 White Shadow is the single Spanish entry, also skippered by a French sailor, Jean-Claude Petit, who will be joined by some of his family members.

The Finns have two boats, Spirit of Helsinki (formerly Whitbread racer Fazer Finland) skippered by Jussi Paarvoseppa, and Tapio Lentinen’s Galiana WithSecure. Their crews have trained hard and there is a good deal of national pride urging them on. And whatever one’s allegiance it will be hard not to wish Tapio, in particular, every good fortune after the gooseneck barnacle attack in the GGR18, the loss of Asteria in GGR22, and Galiana WithSecure’s dismasting in the recent Fastnet.

When asked how he personally recovered from such setbacks, Tapio spoke of the deeper values which sustained him, and also the realisation that being able to sail ‘is a fantastic gift. One shouldn’t spoil it by crying over spilt milk.’ With that in mind, Tapio will also be flying the Ukrainian flag.

The crews are expected to finish between the 1 and 10 April 2024.

The Ocean Globe Race route

The eight-month adventure follows the original Clipper route and is split into four legs, sailing around the three great Capes: Africa’s Cape of Good Hope, Australia’s Cape Leeuwin, and South America’s notorious Cape Horn. Stopovers include: Cape Town, Auckland and Punta del Este.

The first leg: 6,650 miles, Southampton to Cape Town. The first boats are expected to finish between 9-21 October. The second leg: 6,650 miles, Cape Town to Auckland, New Zealand. It starts on 5 November and is expected to finish between 14-23 December. The third leg: 8,370 miles, Auckland, New Zealand to Punta del Este, Uruguay. It starts on 14 January 2024. The first boats are expected to finish between 9-18 February 2024. The fourth leg: 5,430 miles, Punta del Este, Uruguay to Southampton. The first boats to cross the finish line are expected 1-10 April 2024.

The entrants

The yachts are split into three classes: the Adventure Class 46-55ft; Sayula Class 56-65ft; and Flyer Class, comprising ex-Whitbread yachts from the first three editions.

Adventure Class (47-55ft/ 14-17m)

Galiana WithSecure (Tapio Lehtinen), FIN, Swan 55; Triana (Jean D’Arthuys) FRA, Swan 53; Outlaw (Campbell Mackie), AUS, Baltic 55; Sterna (Allspice Yachting, Rufus Brand) ZAF, Swan 53; Godspeed (Skeleton Crew Sailing, Taylor Grieger), USA, Swan 51.

Sayula Class (56-66 ft /17-20m)

Evrika (Dominique Dubois), FRA, Swan 65; Explorer (Mark Sinclair), AUS, Swan 57; Spirit of Helsinki (Jussi Paavoseppä), FIN, Swan 651; White Shadow (Jean-Christophe Petite), ESP, Swan 57

Flyer Class (Former 1973, 1977 or 1981 Whitbread race boats)

L’Esprit d’Equipe (Lionel Regniér), FRA, Whitbread 1981; Translated 9 (Vittorio Malingri), ITA, Whitbread 1977, Pen Duick VI (Marie Tabarly), FRA, Whitbread 1973; Neptune (Tanneguy Raffray), FRA, Whitbread 1977; Maiden (Heather Thomas), GBR, Whitbread 1989.

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2023 Race Entrants

Rower: Jamie Howard Country: United Kingdom Boat Design: R25 Charity: Open Seas & NASS Social Media:  Website

In 2019 I witnessed rowers arrive at English Harbour, Antigua, and I knew then that I wanted to do that too one day! I will be 67 years of age at the start line with my wonderful family being fully supportive of this ambition of mine. I have decided to row solo as I don’t feel I can put anyone through the stress of being cooped up in a small boat with me for 2 months or so! The sea has played a huge role in my life having been brought up and lived most of my life on the two small islands of Gometra and Ulva on the West Coast of Scotland. My Father taught me to row shortly after I learned to walk, or so it seemed. The sea, in those days, was brimming with fish and wildlife. I have vivid memories of pods of Orcas, leaping dolphins, and friendly porpoises. Sadly there has been a huge degradation in the bio-diversity of our Seas and Oceans since those days of plenty and that makes me very sad. I have therefore decided to try to do something to raise awareness, and funds, for not only the Marine Charity, Openseas.org, but also NASS (National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society). I currently suffer from Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), a Chronic Arthritic condition, which in my case has resulted in fusing in my neck and lower spine. However, this does not stop me from enjoying my passions of ski-mountaineering, long-distance walking, scuba diving and, of course, boating. I now want to prove to myself and others that it is possible to row 3,000 miles across the Atlantic with AS. Openseas.org (www.openseas.org.uk) is a wonderful marine charity based in Scotland. The team monitors the health of our seas and lobbies Government for changes and oversight of Marine Protected Areas (MPA’s) around the coast of Scotland. NASS (www.nass.co.uk) is an equally wonderful charity offering support, and information, for AS sufferers, while working to raise awareness of the condition generally to the wider public and with the UK Government. I cannot wait to get out onto the Atlantic Ocean, help these two charities, and be an inspiration to my gorgeous Grandchildren, and our future.

Rower: Victoria Jeffs Country: United Kingdom Boat Design: R10 Charity: Youth Adventure Trust, Coppafeel!, Samaritans – Stratford upon Avon Social Media: Website

Life goes quickly and the age of 56 seems like the right time to row the Atlantic.  I sponsored a team back in 2016 and have followed the race every year since although truth be told I was smitten with adventures in the water after reading Swallows and Amazons as a child.  My interest in the water stepped up a notch when saw the achievements of Tracy Edwards and later Ellen McArthur’s sailing exploits and I remember then wishing I could enjoy someadventures on the ocean. Now seems like the perfect time.

As it currently stands, according to Guinness World Records once I get to Antigua, I willbecome the oldest SOLO female to EVER row any ocean, not just the Atlantic – now if that’s not motivation to get to the other side, I don’t know what is!

I like to think I’m reasonably fit, I’ve already completed 2 Ironman races, in Sweden and New Zealand and multiple 1000 mile bike rides.  I’m confident I’ve got some endurance;however this will be on a whole new level! I will be following up my Atlantic row with a row around GB too, but I’ll wait for 2025 for that expedition, for now, the Atlantic is calling.

My motivation?  I became a grandmother in 2021 and my perspective in life has changed a lot, and I want to find out where my limits might be.  I’ve not found them yet so I thought why not push the boundaries and see what this ‘old girl’ is capable of.

I also wanted to raise funds for some amazing small charities and having seen the incredible work that my charities address, the goal is to raise over £300,000 to enable them to continue the fantastic work they do. Three small charities making a very big difference.

Youth Adventure Trust – inspire young people through adventure – they work with vulnerable young people from 11-16 to unlock their potential and lead positive lives in the future.  They deliver mentoring in a positive way through their unique Youth Adventure Programme and this is a genuinely life changing opportunity, giving young people the chance to build resilience, develop confidence and learn skills that will last a lifetime .

Coppafeel ! – are a b reast h ealth a wareness charity .   Coppafeel ! exists to educate and remind every person in the UK that checking their boobs isn’t only fun, it could save their life. Breast Cancer can affect any body , young or old, so learn how to check yours today.

Samaritans – Stratford upon Avon – are always there whoever might need them, whenever that may be.  Mental health is so important and we all need to take responsibility for this, in ourselves, our families, our friends, our colleagues and even the stranger we might walk by .  In addition, their fantastic outreach work within the community is vital for the mental health in our schools, hospitals and a variety of other initiatives .

Rower: Mel Eissens Country: Netherlands Boat Design: R25 Charity: Interplast Holland Social Media:  Website

In 2019, I got involved in a research project “trigger fingers in Ocean Rowers”. With the research team, Hand Surgeons and Hand Therapists, we headed off to La Gomera early December 2019 to start the project. The moment we arrived, feeling the excitement, and talking to the rowers, I was hooked, and it never left my mind… so here we are… – Have I ever done this before? The answer is ‘No’.

– Have I ever rowed before? The answer is ‘No’. Besides my work as a hand therapist, my passion is my motorbike, so not even water-related So why do this? Why not…! but please…ask me again in Antigua As it currently looks like, I will be the first female solo rower from the Netherlands, although I might be slightly cheating as I now live in Switzerland and have lived in the UK before that

And I have been working as a hand therapist for over 23 years and am extremely passionate about this specialized profession, hence my team’s name and the charity. Interplast shares medical knowledge, treatment, and experience with under-resourced communities around the world. Hand surgery, and subsequently hand therapy, is a big part of this.  

I am fully aware the ocean row will test me to the max and on a completely different level than I have ever been tested before, physically, and mentally. But keeping in mind that the children and adults with disabilities who need help from Interplast, are and have been dealing with a lot worse.   Being able to support these children and adults with your donations during the row to help them in further life, gives me as a hand therapist, an incredible boost and motivation.

Rower: Elliot Awin Country: United Kingdom Boat Design: D12 Charity: The British Heart Foundation Social Media: Website

Following my battle with various arrythmias, finally resulting in the implantation of a (CRT-P) pacemaker, taking part in the Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge, Wave Wrangler will provide a platform for raising funds for the British Heart Foundation, as well as bring awareness to a newly formed online platform for anyone living with an arrythmia to share stories and experiences.

Rower: Dominique Meynadier Country: France Boat Design: R25 Charity: Heart Sport and Health Social Media: Website

I have always been passionate about sport ; it was a press article that made me want to tackle this amazing Atlantic oar crossing. I played handball and rugby. I practice water and winter sports such as windsurfing, snowboarding, and ski mountaineering. Road and mountain cycling, motocross are also part of my life, and for 25 years, extreme endurance sports like ultra trail running and cycling have been essential to me.

I’m proud to finish these extreme endurance races, sometimes in very good positions, thanks only to my personal physical and mental preparation.

I’m 56 years old and I need to keep on dreaming. Surely I am lucky to be in good physical condition, I feel great motivation for this new extraordinary sport challenge.

Of course, I realize that preparation in new areas like navigation and rowing are vital, but everything is possible if you work your heart out : I strongly believe in this project.

I do not idealize this crossing at all, but I consider it as an amazing moment within an amazing environment. It will be a privilege to be part of the race and I intend to make the most of it every second.

I have chosen to sponsor the ” heart sport and health ” charity, which supports people with heart failure. I experienced a cardiovascular incident myself without any after-effects, and it allowed me to understand the importance of good physical condition. Willpower is also vital. That is what this association strives to bring : to put patients in motion, gradually, to give them the pleasure of the effort for a sustainable behaviour. My past and this goal of crossing can bring positive images to patients and help them in their efforts.

This race will in any case be a real moment of sharing with the association but also with others participants, all organization menbers, my team, my friends and my family.

Rower: Frank Rothwell Country: United Kingdom Boat Design: R10 Charity: Alzheimer’s Research UK Social Media:   Twitter ,  Facebook ,   Instagram

I’m a big believer of living life with no regrets. Which is why at 73, I’m rowing across the Atlantic to raise another £1 million for Alzheimer’s Research UK. But this time, I’m rowing for a cure.

I have galloped around 11 marathon courses, trudged up Kilimanjaro, skippered my own boat around the world, navigated the Northwest passage and around Cape Horn during my circumnavigation of North and South America and I cursed and swore my way through Channel 4’s The Island with Bear Grylls.

Since my last row, I bought my beloved hometown football club, Oldham Athletic, saving it from extinction and in November 2022, I survived major heart surgery. I’m not afraid of death. But I am afraid of getting dementia. As well as my brother-in-law, Roger, I recently lost a good friend to dementia. It’s devastating. I don’t want anyone else to go through it. That’s why I’m raising as much awareness and money as I can for Alzheimer’s Research UK.

If you would like to donate, please visit my JustGiving page and Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation will double it up to £100,000.

Rower: Peet Botma Country: South Africa Boat Design: D12 Charity: smallthingsfoundation Social Media:  Website

Around 10 years ago, I heard about this crazy rowing race across the Atlantic ocean. At that time, I was in awe of the race and I could hardly believe that it was even possible. But, it sounded incredible and a small little seed was planted. I incredulously hoped and dreamed that I would one day be brave enough to go on the adventure.

Over the following years I learned about the row through the few available books and documentaries and the dream to actually go do it just grew stronger and stronger, but it was still just a far off dream for someday.

I was eventually able to muster up the courage to make the extremely challenging decision to turn that dream for someday into entering the World’s Toughest Row, Atlantic 2023, as a solo rower.

Why do I want to take on this extremely challenging adventure;

• I feel that I still have a significant sporting achievement within me and was looking for something where I would truly be tested physically and mentally, in an environment where you just do not have all the control.
• The ocean humbles me, but also sets me free and I wanted to experience that in the ocean’s extremes.
• I believe that God planted this seed in me for a reason and that this journey has a greater purpose. What exactly that is, I do not know yet, but I am on the journey and hoping to inspire other people to break free from whatever is holding them back, so that they can follow their dreams. I am also hoping to make a difference in the lives of underprivileged children in South Africa, through the love and protection of the ocean.

Looking forward to taking on this challenge, with a smile!     

Freedom Rower

Rower: Nick Hollis Country: United Kingdom Boat Design: R25 Charity:  https://www.worldlandtrust.org/ Social Media:  Website

Nick Hollis is an international mountaineer and adventurer who felt compelled to initiate the 721 Challenge after witnessing first-hand the devastating environmental impacts we are having on our planet.  The 721 Challenge is a Guinness World Record attempt to climb the Seven Summits, ski both the North & South Poles, and to row the Atlantic Ocean — all in world record speed.  Nick has already climbed the highest mountain on every continent, skied solo from the edge of Antarctica to the South Pole, and now has only two more challenges to go in his race against climate change — the North Pole and the World’s Toughest Row (Atlantic Crossing).

His feats have not come without unforeseen challenges.  In summiting Mt. Everest, Nick experienced snow blindness, the unfortunate travesties of inexperienced climbers, and failing oxygen systems in the death zone.  In 2020, Nick faced an arduous battle with Long Covid — a challenge he states was more difficult than any expedition he has ever undertaken, including Mt. Everest.  Despite these hardships, Nick has persevered and inspired many.  His resilience, precision in preparation, and calculated risk taking are three reasons he is still here today.  For a man more accustomed to being in the mountains than on the ocean, the Atlantic Crossing will present a unique set of physical and mental challenges.  Raising awareness for World Land Trust and the race against climate change, remains the primary goal for Nick.

“Saving primary rainforest is one of the most important things we can do to combat climate change. 721 Challenge will be supporting the protection of vital habitats under threat.” –  Nick Hollis  –

Through the 721 Challenge and as an ambassador for the WLT, Nick Hollis is raising vital funds in support of WLT’s Forests of Mist campaign — a campaign which aims to preserve and protect the threatened lands in the Guanacas Reserve in Columbia and to restore the crucial cloud forest habitat, that impact both terrestrial and oceanic ecosystems.  Protecting this land will not only prevent deforestation and promote biodiversity, but also combat the pernicious effects of climate change.

“The money that is given to the World Land Trust, in my estimation, has more effect on the wild world than almost anything I can think of.” – Sir David Attenborough, Patron of WLT-

Nick Hollis & the 721 Challenge team look forward to sharing the incredible journey from San Sebastián de La Gomera to Antigua together with each & every one of you.  This journey will bring us one step further in the race against climate change.

“Thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way. None of this would have been possible without the incredible support and generosity of my amazing friends, neighbors, sponsors and 721 Challenge partners.”

–  Nick Hollis  –

Rower: Henry Cheape Country: United Kingdom Boat Design: R25 Charity: Global Canopy, Sustain:  the alliance for better food and farming, Nomad Conservation Fund Social Media: Website

Throughout life I have been lucky enough to have great friends, travelling the world with one, setting up businesses with others and marrying my best friend of all, but now I need to challenge myself to undertake this huge mental and physical challenge with only my own tenacity to rely on. It may seem an extreme way to find some solitude, but the places where we can be truly alone and veritably challenged are fewer and further between these days.

Our chosen charities work to improve the relationship between humans and our environment – I would like to think that when my time is up, the tide will have turned, and planet Earth will have a brighter future for the generations yet to come.

Rower: Liz Wardley Country:  Australia Boat Design: R25 Charity: TBC Social Media:  Facebook ,  Instagram ,  Website ,  Twitter

L iz always has an adventure on the go, its just the scale of them that vary.

In 2020 she saw the fleet of the World’s Toughest Row arrive in Antigua and the cogs started turning.  

Having spent most of her professional career preparing and racing other peoples ocean racing yachts, it was a surprisingly daunting task to take on her own little rowboat and challenge.  

Normally a bit of an adrenaline junky , racing fast yachts across oceans, foiling windsports in her spare time and always on the move – its been remarked that this may be the slowest paced things She has ever done.

Liz is fully up for all these challenges and is excited to try and adapt her lifetime of lessons learnt on the water fishing and ocean racing to rowing (very slowly) 3000 nautical miles across The Atlantic Ocean in a 7.2 meter boat.

Her boat is affectionately called ‘Tic Tac’ as it looks like a half eaten tic tac and She’s entered solo in The Worlds Toughest Row, Atlantic race with the start now only a few months away

Rower: Leanne Maiden Country: Scotland Boat Design: R25 Charity: Women’s Fund for Scotland, The Polar Academy & The Mabel Foundation Social Media: Website

I am Leanne Maiden, I am a very ordinary woman in my early 40’s. I am a daughter, sister, friend, wife and a mother of 2 incredible sons – who I hope are going to be very proud of me. 

I have never ever lived by myself, and I am not even sure what it feels like to be in my own company for more than a few hours.  I love people and have a lot of very incredible people in my life.  A lot of my life energy comes from seeing my friends and socialising so I anticipate spending the crossing in my own company is going to be very uncomfortable.  But when I look at the level of discomfort that so many people around the world experience over the course of their whole lives, a few months at sea really do pale into insignificance. I am rowing to raise money and awareness for those who cannot escape from their own uncomfortable place – whether it is from having no access to period products or clean water, not being able to go to school when they have periods, being shamed for having periods, being bullied at school, or being in an abusive relationship that they feel trapped in.  

The lengths a girl will go to for a rum cocktail and holiday in the Caribbean right!!?

Rower: Sam Glover Country: United Kingdom Boat Design: R25 Charity: UnLtd Social Media:  Website

Sam is taking part in the World’s Toughest Row to support Unltd’s essential social program.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Jake has had to withdraw from the row and, incredibly, Sam has decided to continue the row…as a solo. This news has hit the team hard; both Sam and Jake have found this a tough blow to deal with. However…despite this news, their partnership will continue! Jake, although not with Sam in person, will now take on a key land support role, helping to hit their ambitious fundraising targets, providing support throughout, and being Sam’s biggest cheerleader!

Sam, meanwhile, has been plunged into a very different challenge – unexpectedly, he will now be out there on his own. It will be mentally tougher, it will be physically more challenging, and he’ll be on the ocean for longer. But despite Sam being physically alone on the Atlantic, he has an endless well of support from both Jake and his ever increasing army of supporters! So everything HAS changed, but all of a sudden, this project has taken on a whole new life!

Sam is more than determined than ever to reach £250,000 to support UnLtd’s essential social program. Please donate today to support socially minded entrepreneurs, empowering people from all backgrounds to change society for the better through sustainable, purposeful business.

Rower: Andrew Breen & Eamon Breen Country: Ireland Boat Design: R25 Charity: Make a Wish Ireland & First Light Social Media: Website

This row has been a dream of Andrew’s for many years now. Although I (Eamon) am new to rowing, it has been a passion on Andrew’s for at least a decade now. Andrew commented about his dream on a facebook post back in November about a team preparing to do the crossing… and I replied saying “sure I’ll do it with you….” So that’s where are now 🙂 Make A Wish Ireland – this charity to close to me as I have raised previous funds for them. I am also a member of a running who are in the middle of a fundraising event for them (run from Dublin to Donegal) which has been postponed since April 2020 thanks to Covid19. The son (Seimi) of one of the lads died from a brain tumour before he was able to have his wish granted. MAW do amazing work in putting some fun into special peoples lives at the time they need it most First Light – this is a charity that supports families who have been impacted by Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (cotdeath). This is close to us as our oldest brother, Rory, died ages 10 weeks. It was obviously a very tough time for our Mam and Dad back then, as Rory was the first child in the family – another 5 have following since. As you’ll see from the team name, we have a major brother/family element in the challenge and what could be better than to name the boat Rory and to honour him with a donation to help other families experiencing the same difficulties

Rower: Mark and Dani Jones Country: United Kingdom & Wales Boat Design: R25 Charity: Access Sport Social Media: Website

We are Mark and Dani Jones a married couple, who have found our next mad adventure by signing up to the World’s Toughest Row 2023. We have over come many obstacles that life has thrown at us, but together we have over come them all and which each one we have grown stronger as a couple. We are not professional rowers, but we are sport mad, it was our love of sport that bought us together as a couple. This is why one of our chosen charities is Access sport. Sport is such a powerful tool, it can boost confidence, help people overcome loneliness and improve physical and mental health issues. We believe everyone, no matter their backgrounds should have access to sport and Access sport provided so many people the opportunity to participate in a variety of sporting events. We will also be raising funds for our local area including our children’s school. The hardest part of for both if us will be leaving our two young children behind, but we want to inspire our children to follow their dreams and over come all that life has to throw at them. “Because all dreams are just the other side of fear, we just need the courage to take the journey”. So WTR 2023.. Here we come, bring it on! “

Rower: David Ferrier & Garry Hoyle Country: United Kingdom Boat Design: R25 Charity: The Great North Air Ambulance Service Social Media: Website

Our names are David Ferrier and Garry Hoyle, and we’re the lucky two who will be embarking on this remarkable challenge of rowing across the Atlantic Ocean.

We have both been lucky to have worked all our adult lives, from leaving school at 16, and have taken the decision independently to retire from full time employment when we turn 60 and 61 respectively in 2023. However, neither of us intends to treat retirement as the end of an era, or a time to simply dwell on our past achievements, but the beginning of the next big thing and an opportunity to make new memories. As we have both remained sporty and healthy throughout our lives, we have talked for some time about marking the occasion with an appropriate physical challenge… and why not “The World’s Toughest Row”?

We hope you’ll join us on this journey, share in the highs and lows and, most importantly, help us to raise as much money as possible for The Great North Air Ambulance Service

Rower: Andy Purvis & Stuart Hatcher Country: United Kingdom Boat Design: R25 Charity: Dementia UK & Sporting Memories Foundation & Bright Shadows dementiauk.org  –  sportingmemoriesnetwork.com/  –   brightshadow.org.uk/ Social Media:  Website

Stuart – Hi Everyone my name is Stuart I’m 47 now but due to entering the TWAC2023 I will be celebrating my 50th somewhere in the Atlantic with one of my best buddies. I’m not an expert sea adventurer, but I do have a huge passion for the outdoors and endurance, so I guess if you think about it this is a combination of both just on an epic scale. But it’s not on the sea where you’d normally find me (especially in the months from December – February) because my biggest passion is Skiing! You’d find me blasting down mountains in powder, and out of season I’d be sitting round a fishing lake followed by a night round the campfire before sleeping under the stars. My love and passion for endurance racing doesn’t come from running ultra marathons or triathlons but it’s Motorsport. So what could I say when one of my best mates asked me to compete in the TWAC2023 with him, a race that combines both of my passions. I didn’t even give it a second thought I WAS IN! The sea has always been a happy and calming place for me from a young age, and that is why the challenge of rowing the Atlantic in aid of Dementia UK and The Sporting Memories Foundation. Mental Health is something I have personal experience of and I hold charities like this close to my heart. Also after the year we have had, I don’t think Mental Health has been more prominent in peoples lives, and is being talked about more and more. Not only will be raising money for a very special charity, I also get to spend a couple of months at sea with someone who I know will keep me motivated, focused and will make me laugh when it’s all starts to feel a little too much. So just like life, the journey from now, as I write this sitting in my kitchen April 2021 until that moment when we finally row into English harbour in Antigua in February 2024 will be one to remember forever. I am so excited to go on this journey, to learn new skills and make some incredible memories. Please help and support us in raising money for this incredible charity. Andy – Hi my names Andy and I will be 60 a few weeks before the start of TWAC2023. Like my buddy Stuart I have always loved the outdoors and extreme activities. My hobbies include Skiing & Scuba diving and I have also skydived among several other extreme activities. My passion is however running having completed many half and full marathons. Rowing the Atlantic will however prove to be the ultimate challenge and we are both excited and honoured to have the opportunity to fulfil an achievement of a lifetime whilst raising money for such a fantastic cause. We are both very lucky to have super supportive families who will encourage us at all times on the wonderful journey ahead.

Rower: Matt Bladen & George Farmiloe Country: United Kingdom Boat Design: R25 Charity: Acorns Children’s Hospice Social Media: Website

In the depths of the pandemic, with just a drop of whisky remaining, two overgrown boys shook hands and sealed their fate. On that dark Christmas night, it was decided they would face their greatest challenge yet – the Atlantic Ocean. This story begins 11 years ago, when Matt and George first rowed together at school. In the years since, they have formed an unbreakable bond, a bond of brothers, the true test of which is yet to come. George loves to take on a challenge, however unprepared, as shown to a crowd of a thousand onlookers during his university boxing debut. Matt has a similar penchant for risk (despite his shocking injury record), and regularly competes at a high level in club rowing. Worcester born and bred, they bleed Worcestershire sauce. Make no mistake, these buoys aren’t just here to make up the numbers. We’re here to have an unforgettable experience, redefine our limits, and raise a huge amount of money for a great cause close to our hearts.

Rower: Chris Mitchell & Robbie Laidlaw Country: United Kingdom Boat Design: D12 Charity: Hospitality Action Social Media:  Instagram

The hospitality industry is built upon a strong community spirit, and this spirit was damaged during the fallout of the pandemic with waves of redundancies sweeping the sector. Hospitality Action support people facing mental health challenges, something we understand the importance of, and want to support throughout our Atlantic campaign. The Spirit of Hospitality is a fitting name for our journey. Built upon generosity, cheerfulness and fun, our campaign brings together an industry that has suffered greatly, to achieve one important goal, the support of Hospitality Action and the vital work they do. From our lives working within the Contract Catering sector, we have partnered with some inspirational sponsors to help us achieve our fundraising goal of £100,000. Our campaign is being supported by some of the best chefs in the UK, who have kindly sponsored us with the creation of meals and snacks that will keep us going throughout the trip, and that we will share with our followers throughout the campaign. Suppliers, farmers, and producers have offered their support through sponsorship, helping to make our fundraising goal a reality. The Atlantic challenge is branded as “the world’s toughest row” and is a long way from the comforts of the industry we know and love. The tremendous power and support from the sector fuels our ambition, and with it we will cross the Atlantic ocean. Chris and Robbie

Rower: Jim Ronaldson & Ian Davies Country: United Kingdom Boat Design: R25 Charity: Papyrus – Suicide prevention in young people Social Media:  www.gofundme.com/never2late

Rower: Janik Prottung & Danny Schleicher Country: Germany Boat Design: TBC Charity:  balichildrensproject.org/  &  ozeankind.de/ Social Media:  Website

We row across the Atlantic Ocean to raise money, for children’s education.

Why not row 3000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean? Why not raise money for education? Why not do it today?

When we met again ten years after graduating from highschool, these questions came to mind. Danny emigrated to Jakarta to support the family business and Janik moved to Munich to work in IT and study physics. Through a video, Danny had heard about the Atlantic Challenge. A beer or two later, we finished the thought. Let’s start this adventure, but risk our lives for what?

We both believe that the better educated the world is, the better we can meet the future challenges like climate change, digitalization, or human rights. With this in mind, we chose to support two educational charities. Bali’s Children Project helps children in the rural areas of Bali. They give them acces to education by sponsoring and renovating schools. Ozeankind combines pollution with education by opening barter stores in Zanzibar. There, children exchange returned plastic items for something of value.

Rower: Lisa Roland & Lauren Champion Country:  Canada & USA Boat Design: R25 Charity: Bridges Over Water Fund Website: Website

Lisa and Nini are two strong women in the sailing industry; Lisa works as a captain and Nini as a rigging technician. With over 60,000 nm at sea between us, we believe we have what it takes to take on the challenge of the World’s Toughest Row across the Atlantic. The race itself is an incredible feat, but the team is embarking on an even more fulfilling challenge to change the lives of former fostered youth with the proceeds raised from our campaign.

Cultivated from Lisa’s own experience and personal journey, Team Ocean Grown has developed the Bridges Over Water fund. The aim of the fund is to provide ten young adults who have aged out of the foster care system with an opportunity to find a career suitable to them in the maritime industry. Applications will open on December 12, 2023, the day of the race start, and remain open for 3 months.

Rower: Caroline Hague, Rachel Smillie & Nicki Kelly Country: United Kingdom Boat Design: R45 Charity: Dash & Thames Hospice Social Media: Website

We are all members of Eton Excelsior rowing club and train together on the stretch of water between Maidenhead and Windsor. We are all driven to push ourselves and achieve things that maybe at first seem slightly beyond what people may see as possible. Another member of the club has recently come back from completing the challenge himself and whilst he was training we started the could we, should we, type conversations which finally turned into a yes we should, let’s just get on and do it type conversation. As a group of women, we are not shy of a challenge – individually we have run marathons, rafted down white water, climbed mountains etc and we know that we can and will support each other through this amazing challenge. DASH is clearly a charity that supports women to be the best they can be and encourages them to stand firm in the face of adversity. We all work with young people in our real lives and at our rowing club and know the effect unhealthy relationships can have both on the individuals and on their extended families. DASH is a charity that many turn to in their hour of need and we want to support DASH to carry on their amazing work. We must stand firm against any abuse within relationships and through our challenge we hope to highlight the work of DASH whilst raising funds for the charity. Thames hospice is a charity close to our hearts. I don’t think there is anyone whose lives have not been touched in some way by cancer and the support of organisations such as hospices is vital when individuals and their families are going through the toughest of times. Palliative care is essential so that people can find dignity and peace in the darkest of moments. Thames hospice is a local charity and we hope to help support its profile in the community.

Rower: Xaiver Baker, Paul Berry, Chris Mannion Country: United Kingdom Boat Design: R45 Charity: Hampshire & IOW Wildlife Trust, Surfers Against Sewage and The Seahorse Trust. Social Media: Website

As a group of ocean-loving islanders, the Mermaid Atlantic team are rowing to raise awareness of the pollution and preservation of the world’s water habitats and raise money for marine-focused environmental charities.

The world’s climate crisis is a shared concern for the three teammates, who all embrace the sea as part of their everyday lives. They aim to raise awareness for two issues, water quality, including plastic pollution, and the protection of seagrass meadows. The team will be actively selecting sustainably produced materials for the row and competing as a net-zero outfit to highlight the effect waste disposal and human activity is having on the natural w

Rower: Louise Cox, Robyn Hart-Winks & Jordan Cole-Hossain Country: United Kingdom Boat Design: R45 Charity: Acces Sport, London Youth Rowing Social Media:  Website

Robyn, Louise and Jordan met at the University of London Boat Club where they became close friends. Their mutual drive, ability to rally each other and desire for adventure let them to the Atlantic Challenge. Supporting Access Sport and London Youth Rowing gives momentum and motivation to the challenge for the crew. It is important that children from all walks of life can play sport, just as the crew did.

The opportunities to access sport that these charities deliver to children and young people are hugely important. The Tidewaves hope to use the duration of the project to engage with these charities on the ground; encouraging, coaching and supporting the initiatives alongside raising funds for their progammes.

Rower: Maddie Difazio-Wright, Grace “G” Pybus and Grace Gilbert Country: UK Boat Design: R45 Charity: John Radcliffe Hospital Neuro ICU, Kidney Cymru, Empire Fighting Chance Social Media: Website & Instagram

Vibe the Wave are a trio of girls who wish to “Live the Adventure”.

Their mission is to thrive in adventure, rise the challenge, have fun, work as a team with true spirit to overcome obstacles and inspire big dreams!

They are also hoping to host “The Worlds Most Remote Cocktail Party” mid ocean – so watch this space!

The three of us are from all different background but have come together, with no prior rowing experience, for one hellava challenge and an almighty adventure. We are Vibe the Wave:

Maddie – Passion and adventure queen, with enthusiasm for days and an ambition to catch a fish mid ocean! The one who started river rowing, and quickly transitioned into ocean rowing! Enthusiasm for days – no task is too big!

G – Boaty McBoat Grace, the sailor amongst us and lover of the sea; if it floats, she’s sailed it! The even keel to our trio and navigator extrodiannaire.

Grace – The triathlete, endurance sport nutter… set her a task and she’ll complete it, believer than anything is possible and you gotta dream big!

Rowers: Katherine Antrobus, Harriet Carder & Bobbie Mellor Country: United Kingdom and Ireland Boat Design: R45 Charity: WWF Climate Crisis Fund and UNHCR Climate Fund for Refugees Social Media: Website

From strangers, to colleagues, to now great friends, we started our journey simply by filling in an application form for Vodafone Foundation’s call out for employees to take on the Atlantic Row. After interviews, selection processes and testing, we formed the WaveBreakers.

Having never taken on a challenge to this scale, we’ve come together as a trio of ordinary women, taking on the extraordinary, proving that anyone is capable of achieving a mighty challenge when you put your mind to it.

United by our passion for our beautiful planet, we’re fundraising to support two charities (WWF and UNHCR) that are protecting those on the frontlines of the climate crisis: our most vulnerable animal species and climate refugees.

Bobbie, our wonderful Skipper, Sustainability Guru and Safety Squirrel, is just the person you want with you on a night shift for a good natter, is never far away from breaking out into giggles and will always be there to spur her teammates along. She’s most excited about the simplicity of life out on the ocean.

  Katherine, our Chief Navigator and Super Mum of 3, has a heart of gold and a contagious laugh that will have anyone smiling. She’s hoping to inspire her kids to take on great challenges and protect our wildlife for future generations. She’s most excited about the wildlife we might see on the crossing.

Hatty; our snack pack queen and nutrition lead. Bundles of enthusiasm, but a tough cookie too. Has a dance for every occasion. We’re not sure how we’re going to keep her out of the water given her love of a cold swim! Most excited about the Pina Colada in Antigua.

Rowers: David Tiplady, Aaron Kneebone & Chis Wood Country: United Kingdom Boat Design: R45 Charity: Blue Marine Foundation & Tusk Social Media:  Website

Introducing the crew of BlueTusk

The guys are work colleagues who all share a passion for challenge and adventure; each with their own personal experiences of taking on extreme endurance events (albeit not always on the water). They also share a love of the great outdoors and are using the Challenge to highlight the urgent need to protect our planet’s wildlife and habitats against both human and environmental impacts, raising funds for two amazing conservation charities, Blue Marine Foundation and Tusk.

The team is made up of …

Andy Curtis, loves the open water his experiences include sailing as well as open water rowing

David Tiplady, a veteran of 9 Ironman races with a passion for endurance cycling and running events

Aaron Kneebone, an ex-Royal Marine, who is passionate about the ocean and is a keen competitive cyclist

Chris Wood, with a passion for adventure activities,  he is an ex-rower including competitively with the British Army

Rower: Lizz Watson, Katherine Windsor, Laura Langton & Beth Motley Country: United Kingdom Boat Design: R45 Charity: Macmillan, Outward Bound Trust and Prostate Cymru Social Media:  http://teamaceofblades.com/

Rower: Chantale Bégin, Noelle Helder, Isabelle Côté & Lauren Shea Country: Canada, USA Boat Design: R45 Charity: Bamfield Marine Science Centre, Green Wave & Shellback Expeditions Social Media: Website

We are three generations of marine scientists, connected through marine research and education. Isabelle, a marine ecologist at Simon Fraser University, was Chantale’s PhD advisor and had a big impact on her ideas in marine ecology and conservation. Noelle and Lauren met while studying coral reef ecology during a field course in Curaçao – that was taught by Chantale! Our paths have all remained intertwined over the years, united by a passion for marine conservation. We have committed our lives to understanding, protecting, and sharing our passion for the ocean. All of us love adventures of all sorts, and competing in the Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge is one adventurous way for us to draw attention to ocean protection, and to support the people and organizations on the front lines of the fight for our ocean. We are splitting our fundraising efforts three ways, which reflects our team’s origins and experiences: some of us are Canadian, some of us are American, so we wanted to support charities based in both of our home countries. But also, we’ve all spent a lot of time working in the Eastern Caribbean, and with the race ending in Antigua we feel strongly that our efforts should also raise funds for marine conservation efforts in the West Indies. More specifically, we aim to raise at least $300,000 for marine conservation organizations, split evenly between the Bamfield Marine Science Center in Canada to support a scholarship fund for students of underrepresented minorities to complete courses and research in marine conservation, Green Wave—a non-profit based in Connecticut (USA) dedicated to sustainable ocean farming, and Shellback Expeditions—a non-profit started by Chantale and colleagues dedicated to marine conservation projects in the Eastern Caribbean.

Rower: Inneke Karrenbelt, Ingrid Voorn, Margot Vries, Marije Van De Bor Country: Netherlands Boat Design: RX45 Charity: Het Vergeten Kind and Jeugdfonds Sport & Cultuur Social Media: Website

“Why?” is the question we often receive when we tell that we’re going to row the Atlantic. Why? It’s hard to explain… It’s a feeling that’s already been there for a long time. A feeling to do something way outside our comfort zones, a desire to do something extraordinary, something we never thought we’re capable of. To prove to ourselves that we are, and that we can do more than we ever expected, both physically and mentally. Go back to our basics, getting to know ourselves and each other even better and find out if what we do in life at this moment is the way to go or if something has to change.

We are fortunate that we can change things if we really want to. There are a lot of children in our country who aren’t that lucky. Who live in an environment of abandonment or violence. We row for these children, by choosing Het Vergeten Kind (the Forgotten Child) as one of our charities. This organization fights for a stable, loving environment where children can develop properly. Give them positive experiences with real attention, so they feel seen and supported and regain self-confidence. Something no one can do without…

Besides that we also believe that children should be able to develop themselves in either a cultural or a sportive way. Engaging in sports or culture helps a child to develop optimally in a physical, mental and social way. In the Netherlands however, 1 out of 11 children isn’t able to do this, due to the fact that parents can’t afford it. Children who can’t join such activities, don’t have the opportunities that are taken for granted by their peers. Our second charity therefore is the Jeugdfonds Sport & Cultuur (the Sports & Culture Youth Fund), since all children should be able to dream of becoming the next professional athlete or world famous pop star.

Rower: Rosemary Satchwell, Alison Smithurst, Helene Monpetit, Julie Brady Country: Jersey Boat Design: RX45 Charity: Grace Crocker Foundation + Blue Marine Social Media: Website

BELIEVE YOU CAN AND YOU ARE HALFWAY THERE

Hi, we are a team of 4 ladies from the Island of Jersey – Channel Islands, United Kingdom. The sea plays a massive part in our general lives and we are fortunate enough to all live within a mile radius of the coast. Hence we are either on the sea, in it or under it most days. As a team of busy working mums, we want to show that age and gender are not obstacles in achieving something you really want to do and believe strongly in the power of our combined team focus to achieve this goal.

When we succeed in our journey across the Atlantic Ocean we will set a new Ocean Rowing Stats  World Record, by being the oldest female crew to have rowed any ocean. Along the way we wish to raise funds for two charities close to our hearts; the Grace Crocker Foundation and the Blue Marine Foundation.

The Grace Crocker Foundation provides emotional and financial support for Jersey families who have children requiring medical support in the UK. The Blue Marine Foundation is a charity dedicated to restoring the ocean to health by addressing overfishing. It currently has a number of worldwide projects and one of those is working with the Jersey National Trust in trying to protect the National park around the Jersey coast.

Please join us on our fantastic sea journey!

Rower: Alexander Jackson, Adam Carrier, Jack Chapman & George Dagnall Country: United Kingdom Boat Design: Rx45 Charity: Head Up & Bowel Cancer Uk Social Media:  Facebook

This challenge is a fantastic way for us to raise money and awareness for two charities: Head-Up and Bowel Cancer UK. Team Marduk understand that mental resilience and physical endurance are two of the main components needed to complete the row, we intend to develop ourselves as a team and demonstrate that mental resilience isn’t just something you have, it is developed through adversity.

We want this challenge to raise the profile of our charities and give them a platform to discuss mental health for veterans and services personnel; something which is currently deteriorating. We also want to raise more awareness for Bowel Cancer UK, and help prompt earlier identification for the growing number of young people who are becoming diagnosed with this lethal disease. Finally, much like the Babylonian god Marduk did, we want to conquer the beast of the sea; and to help empower other people who might be going through life’s trials and encourage them to challenge their own limits.

Rower: Marko Rehbein, Amir Anwar-Hameed, Mark Bolger & Paul Heijnen Country: Netherlands & Ireland Boat Design: R45 Charity: MIND US, JIGSAW Social Media:   Website & Instagram

Rowers: Timothy Hamilton, Trent Hamilton, Ben Hamilton-Clark & Thomas Hamilton Country: USA Boat Design: RX45 Charity: Send Relief – Afghanistan Refugee Crisis Social Media:  Instagram

There are few bigger challenges in this world, and my love of the ocean and adventure has drawn my brothers and I toward this row. We seek the opportunity to bond through the adventure, isolation, and challenge.

This charity means so much to us. My brother Troy spent nearly a decade living in Afghanistan running various NGOs. We all have a heart for the oppressed in this world and each of us in different ways have a connection to the people of Afghanistan, so we are super passionate about raising money to help support Afghan refugees.

Rowers: Victoria Monk, Ana Žigić, Ellie Reynolds & Abbey Platten Country: England, Serbia, and Slovenia Boat Design: RX45 Charity: Endometriosis UK, Women’s Sport Trust, Teenage Cancer Trust Social Media:  Instagram Website

There She Rows is an all-female team racing in TWAC 2023. Uniting four women with a mutual love of adventure – sailors, ironwomen, ultramarathon runners, elite rowers – with one shared goal … to inspire women and girls to get active and to demonstrate that through sport, anything is possible.

Girls drop out of sports at 1.5x the rate that boys do by age 14. By age 17, more than half of girls will quit playing sports altogether. Similarly, in the UK, there are 2 million fewer women than men regularly playing sport – There She Rows want to use the race as a platform to inspire women and girls everywhere, and showcase that with self-belief, their own Atlantic Oceans can be crossed and conquered.

Rowers: Alisdair Putt, Andreas Koenig, Alastair Horton & Stewart More Country: Australia Boat Design: R45 Charity: Veterans Transition Centre (VTC) Jarradale, Western Australia Social Media:  Website

The Aussie Old Salts are four Australians with an average age of over fifty, aiming to make it across safely as quickly as practicable, given our limited training. Three of the four crew members have current or former links to the Australian Defence Forces, and we are fundraising for a military veterans transition centre near Perth. We are also fundraising for a remote area (Kimberley) women’s crisis accommodation centre as well.

Rowers: Payton Henson, Jesse McNeil, Elijah Spray and Ewan Wilson Country: USA Boat Design: TBC Charity: SailFuture Social Media:  Website

The four of us have spent most of our free time outdoors since childhood, fishing and diving in the Gulf of Mexico, backpacking in the Appalachians, Sierras, and Himalayas, and hunting in Montana and Alaska. When a friend of Evan’s wife Noelle stumbled into the end of the race while working on a sailboat in Antigua, she reached out to Noelle and they put together the team Salty Science (also entered in the 2023 race). After a few weeks of FOMO, Evan reached out to me and we put together our own motley crew, Foarrest Gumption. We’re looking forward to a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

Providing access to a quality education for underserved youth is a cause we care deeply about. Looking around our local community back in Florida, Evan suggested we work with SailFuture, an innovative foster care program and high school in Tampa, FL. SailFuture has strong ties to the ocean, with portions of their programs taking place on sailboats in the Gulf. Combining access to the outdoors with educational opportunity is a perfect fit for us, so we reached out and were thrilled when they wanted to partner. All revenue we raise above and beyond the cost of the race goes to them, as well as the eventual resale funds from the boat.

Rower: Tom Atkinson, Jordan Parkinson, Richard Parkinson & Paul Roadnight Country: Scotland Boat Design: RX45 Charity: Rock2Recovery,  sailors-society.org/ Social Media: Website

Why: As George Mallory said – ‘Because it is there!’ Atlantic R2R is made up of 2 professional yacht crew, a hotelier, an ex-solider and a current soldier who all hold in common a drive, competitiveness and will to find and test their physical and mental limits – what better place to find and then push these limits that the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge! Although the team come from various backgrounds, the combined qualities, skills and experiences of each team member make for an exciting, cohesive and competitive ocean rowing team and an excellent vessel to raise money and awareness for veterans mental health through their chosen charity Rock2Recovery. Why we have chosen the charity: Mental health is a subject close to many members of the team, but veterans mental health in particular is close to Tom and Paul since the death of a friend and former colleague due to mental health issues. Rock2Recovery was founded by Jamie Sanderson RM and Jason Fox RM following long careers as senior ranking Royal Marines which resulted in medical discharges after diagnoses of stress illness and brain injury. R2R strive to creat positive change when it is needed most and following their unique experience they recognize the need for rapid preventative interventions, specific coaching and assistance, including the provision of short and long-term refocusing support for veterans leaving the service with brain injuries and mental health issues attributable to their period of service.

Rower: John Aston, John Solosy, Richard Janes & James Bracey Country: England & Wales Boat Design: RX45 Charity:Norfolk Community Foundation Social Media: Website

This is a once in a life time event. The team have a previous military connection and bond which we hope will stand us in good stead to complete this 3,000 mile adventure. We want to inspire and raise awareness for some great charities.

Two of the team live in Cardiff, Wales and the other two in Norfolk. The charities cover our respective  geographical locations but importantly include common ambitions/objectives around supporting health and wellbeing, maritime conservation and smaller charities in Norfolk. The rowing crew all have young (ish) children and want to support health, welfare and conservation…we hope this will help to raise greater awareness of the fragility of the world but also its beauty.

Rower: Nia Baylis, Caroline Tranter, Pammie Tyson & TBC Country: Antigua, United Kingdom, Canada Boat Design: RX45 Charity: The Friends Foundation, Antigua & Barbuda Social Media: TBC

As a team of four women, in December 2023 we will embark on a journey of a lifetime, pushing the boundaries of human endurance and discovering our personal limits. Beyond challenging ourselves, our ambition is to increase awareness of mental health and highlight the need to recognise and support each other when faced with demanding situations.

Undertaking this row will take courage, wisdom and resilience beyond anything we’ve encountered before.  Collectively we are all driven by a belief that together we can do more than what we can do alone and when equipped with a positive mindset and unequivocal support, anything is possible.

When a challenge this demanding presents itself in life and seems unimaginably hard and out of reach, it’s perseverance and commitment that will help us overcome. And with the words of of Kurt Hahn echoing in the background – “We are all better than we know, if only we can be brought to realise this, we may never be prepared to settle for anything less”.

Our ambition while taking on this challenge is to increase awareness for mental health and raise funds for the Friends Foundation in Antigua.

The Friends Foundation is an independent non-profit organisation that helps mentally and physically challenged children and their families in Antigua & Barbuda.

Rower: Joseph Leach, Guy Phillips, Craig Foreman & Dave Figgins Country: United States Boat Design: R45 Charity: Fight Oar Die (FOD) Social Media:  Website

Fight Oar Die (FOD) is an all-American all-veteran volunteer non-profit (501C3) organization established to support U.S. Veteran’s mental health.  

Rower: Matthew Main, Daniel Seager, Ian Allen, Micheal Forrester & Rob Clarke Country: United Kingdom Boat Design: RX45 Charity: The Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC) and the Submariner Memorial Appeal Social Media: Website

We are Royal Navy Submariners; having taken part in the 2019 Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge we found our culture as submariners really harmonised with the extreme environment of “the World’s Toughest Row”, whether it was knowing everything there is to know about our boat, looking out for our crew mates, managing watch systems all while contending with sleep deprivation and dealing with the emotions of leaving our loved ones. Fortunately, one of the greatest strengths of the Submariner is being able to maintain a sense of humour in some of the very worst conditions. This humour really is a cornerstone to our ethos; when the sea going vessel you choose to call home for upwards of 3 months at a time chooses to sink, remaining positive and being able to laugh really is essential. HMS Oardacious are back to showcase our professionalism and adaptability as Submariners, pushing ourselves both physically and mentally. Our bodies and minds will again be tempered by the sheer vastness of the Atlantic Ocean; Neptune will again throw his fury upon our little craft and he will be met by Submariners, laughing back at him! Having previously fundraised over £100,000 in support of Mental Health initiatives, we continue to build on our legacy working with our service charity RNRMC, to provide Mental Health and Wellbeing support to our community: serving submariners, veterans and their families through life. Heritage and remembrance are also significant parts of our ethos, recognising all those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country; we are therefore proud to also be supporting the Submariner Memorial Appeal to create a fitting memorial to submariners who lost their lives in the service and to the sacrifice of their families.

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Team Spirit: Life and Leadership on One of the World's Toughest Yacht Races Paperback – August 29, 2013

Purchase options and add-ons.

• Print length 256 pages
• Language English
• Publisher Adlard Coles
• Publication date August 29, 2013
• Dimensions 5.1 x 0.8 x 8 inches
• ISBN-10 140818799X
• ISBN-13 978-1408187999
• See all details

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About the author, product details.

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Adlard Coles; Reprint edition (August 29, 2013)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 140818799X
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1408187999
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 7.3 ounces
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.1 x 0.8 x 8 inches
• #1,487 in Sailing (Books)
• #1,661 in Boating (Books)

About the author

Brendan hall.

Brendan Hall is a truly inspirational man. A professional yacht racing skipper, author, leadership expert and entrepreneur. In 2009, Brendan skippered a yacht in the ultimate long distance challenge, The Clipper Round the World Yacht race - a 35,000-mile circumnavigation of the globe, contested by amateur crews in identical racing yachts.

Although Brendan was the youngest and least experienced skipper in the race, he and his team won it in convincing fashion. This achievement was the culmination of years of leadership research, creating a high-performance culture and a leadership style way beyond his 27 years.

His leadership skills were soon put to the test - in the middle of a North Pacific winter hurricane, Brendan and his crew were tasked with the rescue of an incapacitated skipper on a competing yacht. Brendan swapped yachts and skippered both vessels 4000 nautical miles, across the world’s most treacherous ocean to safety.

After completing this life changing challenge, Brendan authored, Team Spirit, a raw, insightful look into the life of a leader pushing himself and his team to perform in extreme conditions. It distils and communicates the core skills and hard-won lessons that made Brendan’s team a winning one and has had an outstanding reception from the business world, where leaders and teams face comparable challenges in their own environment.

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