Fresh Dental Challenge win Pairs Class in this year's World's Toughest Row

11 May 2017 in Events

The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge 2016 has come to a close over the last few weeks and the teams of the 2017 race are getting closer and closer to the start line.

One by one, the main part of the fleet has now rapidly been rowing into the tropical island of Antigua, so it has been a busy time for the Atlantic Campaigns support staff in English Harbour! Each arrival is very special and emotional!

With SOULO GAV and the AMERICAN OARSMEN well installed on dry land earlier in the week, on Friday morning FACING IT, the intrepid team of South African rowers, crossed the finish line after 51 days and 58 minutes at sea. Huge crowds turned out to greet the winners of the PURE CLASS.

Talking about winners, the next boat to arrive was our sponsored FRESH DENTAL CHALLENGE team with Justin Marney and Azud Irshad crossing the finish line after 51 days, 11 hours and 35 minutes. They were the winners of the PAIRS CLASS in this year’s “World’s Toughest Row”. With friends and family on the dock, the late evening arrival was streamed live on Facebook with more than 3,000 people watching, as “Devon’s dental heroes” made it to the dock through the loud screams and honking boat horns.

It was fun, exciting and scary at times as the 12 teams on this epic 3000 mile epic journey have battled with themselves and with the elements.

There have been close encounters with incredible maritime wildlife and even with the odd cargo ship. They have overcome loneliness, physical and psychological hardship and have demonstrated heroic feats that we are capable of achieving if only we set our minds to it.