Whisky Focus - British Pair Win The 2013/14 Talisker Atlantic Challenge

Brits Mike Burton and Tom Salt (Locura Rows the Atlantic) have beaten 15 international teams to win the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, the world’s toughest rowing race. They completed the gruelling 3,000 mile race from La Gomera, Canary Islands, to Antigua in 41 days, 2 hours and 38 minutes.

Rowing in shifts of two hours on, two hours off, 53-year-old Mike and 30-year-old Tom, who make up team Locura Rows The Atlantic, competed in the arduous race to raise money for the Generous Hearts Foundation.

Rower Tom comments on their win: "Mike and I are absolutely ecstatic to have won the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge! We’re no strangers to extreme challenges, but this is definitely the hardest thing we’ve ever done and pushed us to new limits both physically and mentally. We will be celebrating this evening with our friends and family – and the burger we have been dreaming about since day one!"

Talisker Brand Manager Sophie Brookes comments: "The 2013/14 Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge has definitely been living up to its name as the world’s toughest rowing race – the weather has been particularly tough for our teams this year, with an enormous storm hitting the fleet within a few days of the race beginning. Talisker is made by the on the rugged Isle of Skye in Scotland; at times it can mirror the conditions the rowers are facing. Mike and Tom have shown great determination since day one and we would like to congratulate them on their phenomenal win on behalf of everyone at Talisker."

The team have battled 40ft waves, tropical storms, seasickness, sleep deprivation, excruciating body sores, a capsize and even an encounter with a six-metre marlin which left a small hole in their boat.

Mike from Yorkshire met Tom, originally from Chichester and now living in London, in 2010 when they competed in the same crew of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race where they finished in fourth place. Tom’s also completed seven marathons and Mike regularly skydives.

The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge saw 16 teams from around the world start the race on the 4th December 2013 from La Gomera in the Canary Islands. With two teams airlifted to safety following capsizes and one team rescued by a passing Bulk-carrier ship, only 13 teams are still competing to finish the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge.

Follow the progress of all of the teams by visiting www.taliskerwhiskyatlanticchallenge.com
 

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