Dutch duo break Atlantic rowing record

Source:- Newzee


Two friends from the Netherlands have been crowned winners of this year's Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, setting a new world record for the fastest pair to ever row the Atlantic.
Row4Cancer's Mark Slats and Kai Wiedmer, who led the race from the start, completed the 3,000-mile rowing race in 32 days, 22 hours and 13 minutes, arriving into English Harbour, Antigua on 14th January 2020, smashing the previous record of 37 days, 7 hours and 44 minutes by 5 days.
The latest edition of the event which is taking place under strict COVID-19 protocols, saw rowers set off from La Gomera, Spain on 12th December, spending at least 30 days at sea, rowing in 2-hour shift patterns and completing over 1.5 million oar strokes.
It was not an easy crossing for the winning pair who experienced variable weather conditions from strong swells to days of very little wind leaving them unable to generate much speed. However, with their combined experience and dedication to spending 18 hours a day on the oars, they made up time in flat conditions, enabling them to pick up speed and reach Antigua in record time.
A 70-year-old British man, Frank Rothwell who is competing as a solo rower is expected to cross the finish line in 8 - 12 weeks' time.