If you missed this story back in November, then here’s a quick catch up. FAI has sponsored the first Army team to compete in the world’s toughest rowing challenge; the ‘Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge’ is a 3000-mile expedition spanning the breadth of the Atlantic. The four-man crew will be competing against 14 other teams in their category, starting in the Canary Islands on the 12^th December, they will hope to see Antigua towards the end of January.

While we were all chowing down on turkey and mince pies, these brave souls were 900 miles into the race, drinking desalinated seawater and not a hot meal insight. The most recent GPS signal puts them in 5^th place, having surpassed the halfway marker several days ago. With just hours between them and the leading teams, this is where the race starts to hot-up. To put this into perspective, the leading vessel is just 0.2 knots faster on average!

With the support of FAI and other sponsors, the 9m x 2m vessel was packed out with high tech equipment to enable such a long ocean voyage which is unsupported. This isn’t an undertaking for the faint-hearted, testing physical and mental stamina to the limits. But if there is one thing our guys know it’s how to train – Hard!!

The all-male crew, based at the Army Foundation College Harrogate are not only competing for personal achievement but to support the ABF charity by pledging to raise 100k. ABF The Soldiers’ Charity is the national charity of the British Army, providing a lifetime of support to soldiers, veterans and their immediate families when they are in need.