Yesterday the Atlantic Polo Team, comprised of Henry Brett (38), Bobby Dundas (29, 10th Viscount Melville), James Glasson (39) and Fergus Scholes (31), reached port of the Caribbean island Antigua, after crossing the Atlantic in 48 days and seven minutes. This makes the British polo players winners of the four-person category and second overall winners of the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, the world’s toughest rowing race.
The foursome had started on December 4th, 2013, in San Sebastián de la Gomera, Spain. They mastered the 3,000 miles across the Atlantic with a seven-yard-long boat (name: Tiny Dancer) and faced enormous exertions and austerities on the high sea, rowing in shifts of two hours at the oar, followed by just two hours of sleep. Constantly being wet from waves or sweat, consequently the men had to endure blisters that wouldn’t close.
Just five days into the challenge, they were forced into the boat’s tiny cabin (8 ft by 3 ft) for three days after being hit by a powerful storm. In the course of this, two men were tossed overboard. The boat was washed back east by the storm and they had to spend days making up the lost miles.
Nevertheless, there were many unforgettable and beautiful moments and the foursome experienced a great time. Henry Brett: “The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge is something we feel extremely privileged to have experienced, yet would not have wished upon our worst enemies – we have been through hell and back again out there. Most did not expect us to even get to the start line, we are delighted to have won the fours and be second out of the entire fleet.”
This year’s Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge saw a total of 16 teams start.
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