PHILIPSBURG--Four-man rowing team Atlantic Discovery commenced The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge Wednesday morning, beginning a 3,000-mile row from the Canary Islands to Antigua. The team is sponsored by NAGICO Insurances, a diversified insurance company serving 21 territories in the Caribbean.
“We wish this inspirational team a safe and healthy passage,” said NAGICO Group Chief Strategy and Development Officer Kyria Ali. “This journey is one of extreme human endeavour, which resonates closely with NAGICO’s story. It is a true test of physical and mental endurance, and we are honored to be a part of it.”
During the first week, the team will need to adjust to the limited space, rigorous rowing schedule, and irregular sleep patterns.
“In order to overcome the discomfort, seasickness and isolation, the team will have to be resilient and work together,” Ali continued. “The resilience, strength and teamwork that the Atlantic Discovery team is demonstrating are aligned with NAGICO’s core corporate values.”
“For those of us left onshore, there is now a wait for about a week while the team become accustomed to their circumstances,” adds Penny Bird who is writing the blogs and documenting the voyage for the team.” We are unlikely to hear from them. The early stages of this extreme journey are challenging.
“They need to adjust to rowing at least 12 hours a day in shifts, sleeping in bursts of an hour or two, cleaning themselves with a cup of water and wet wipes, fitting in regular boat maintenance and eating rehydrated food and high calorie snacks. They are also acclimatising to constant movement.”
Speaking on behalf of the Atlantic Discovery team, Cameron Parker, a Zurich-based director at Swiss Re, said that the sponsorship was tremendously valuable.
“We have been impressed by the support received from the NAGICO team from the start. They have been involved in helping us prepare and boosting the team’s morale. We feel like part of the NAGICO family and consider ourselves very lucky to have entered this mutually advantageous partnership.”
Other members of this intrepid team include London-based members Ben Ajayi-Obe, data scientist, Isaac Kenyon, geologist, and Jack Hopkins, cyber security researcher.
The team is participating in the row to raise £60K (USD $80K) for Multiple Sclerosis (MS), which affects 2.5 million people worldwide. The team will be starting the row having already made significant progress toward this target.
There are 28 vessels taking part in the challenge, representing 14 countries. The total fleet of 88 rowers is expected to take between 40 and 60 days to complete the crossing. Atlantic Discovery is currently lying in eighth position.
To follow the team’s progress use the race tracker on the Talisker Whisky Challenge website. Atlantic Discovery is the green line track.
