Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge: Winners cross line and Diageo’s Charlotte Harris breaks World Record

Every year, the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge inspires people around the globe to leave their hectic lives on dry land behind to connect with nature, and row the Atlantic Ocean in the adventure of a lifetime. Talisker Whisky have sponsored the Atlantic Challenge for seven years and share the same love for adventure and the world’s oceans. 

Made up of 36 teams and 107 rowers, including five-person, all-female and solo crews, the participants have spent months, even years, preparing for this epic adventure. Competitors will experience 40ft waves, changeable weather and living off powdered food in their incredible journey to the finish line.

This year, ‘Swiss Raw’ (Swiss), were the victorious winners and completed the challenge in 34 days, 23 hours and 42 minutes, a truly inspiring achievement.

Talisker will enjoy a double-celebration as two British women, including Charlotte Harris a Diageo employee, also broke the world record for the fastest female pair to cross the Atlantic Ocean.

Charlotte Harris and Jessica Oliver (GB) who had never rowed before, battled 30ft waves, sleep deprivation, heat, blisters, sharks and a 360-degree capsize in bad weather to complete the challenge.

Their boat “Wild Waves” finished five days ahead of their nearest rivals in the pairs category when they arrived in Antigua on January 26^th. They also wiped almost five days off the previous female pairs world record in a time of 45 days, seven hours and 25 minutes.

Three teams from the fleet, Anna Victorious (GB), Migaloo (NL) and Foar From Home (US), were rowing to raise awareness and funds for ‘One For The Sea’, an initiative launched by Talisker and Parley, an environmental organization, to help support the preservation of 100 million square metres of sea forest by 2023.

Talisker Whisky and Parley for the Oceans announced a new three-year partnership in 2020. To date, the collaboration has helped to conserve 40 million square metres of marine ecosystems.

The partnership forms part of Diageo’s wider commitments to “Society 2030: Spirit of Progress” our 10-year action plan to create a more sustainable world.