The World’s Toughest Rowing Race – The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge – Returns Bigger and Better Than Ever Before

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SAN SEBASTIAN DE LA GOMERA, Spain, Dec. 13, 2019 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

To support the sponsorship and mark the moment, Talisker hosted a series of

events ahead of the race including a Parley Ocean School for rowers, and a

gathering of like-minded outdoor adventurers, explorers, rowers and ocean

enthusiasts including British Adventurer, James Aiken, actor, Matt Smith and

endurance athlete Ross Edgely at a remote wilderness experience, only

accessible by sea.  

- The world's toughest rowing race - The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge - returns for 2019

- This will be the biggest fleet in race history as well as the highest number

of female participants to ever compete

- Over 100 rowers from around the world will embark on the 3000-mile journey across the Atlantic

- Environmental organisation and collaboration network Parley for the Oceans

were invited to host an ocean school for rowers

- Ahead of the race, Talisker served up the ultimate wild adventure creating a

unique remote island wilderness experience to celebrate the start of the

Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge

- Only accessible by sea, the Talisker Wilderness experience left no trace and

brought together a tribe of 'wild spirits' who share a passion for the ocean and adventure

- Freshly foraged food was served up by a wild chef using film director Guy Ritchie's new fire table

To view the Multimedia News Release, please click:

https://www.multivu.com/players/uk/8661651-talisker-whisky-atlantic-challenge-returns/

Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge returns for 2019; one of the world's most

incredible challenges, a rowing race that sees participants travel over 3000

miles from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Nelson's Dockyard in Antigua.

Every year, Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge inspires people all around the

world, as it is truly an expedition made for the wildest of spirits; those that

wish to challenge themselves in the toughest of adventures and that wish to

take on a feat unthinkable to most.   

Over 100 rowers, who have taken up the challenge, set-off from San Sebastian de La Gomera

this morning. Made up of thirty-five teams and individuals from all around the world,

the rowers have spent months, even years, preparing for this epic adventure.

Competitors will take to the sea, experiencing 40ft waves, changeable weather and living off

powdered food in their incredible journey to the finish line.

Each team and individual have their own motivations for embarking upon this challenge

- some are rowing to raise awareness for ocean health - others are rowing to overcome

adversity, among a multitude of other personal inspirations. Among this year's fleet are US team,

Fight Oar Die, who have come together never having met before they signed up to compete.

The four men from four different states in America are joined in their shared experiences in combat.

Speaking in La Gomera ahead of the race, Evan Stratton of Fight Oar Die, said:

"In our team, we are all US Veterans, so not only were we personally motivated,

but the collective call to bring awareness for Veteran issues is what got us in

the boat together. Veterans definitely have a wild spirit that makes them duly

capable of taking on this challenge - it's a huge advantage having a military

background because we are used to being in an austere environment, so we don't

have to overcome those kinds of mental challenges because we have been in them

and thrived in them before."

Alongside them are German team - Rowhhome - a four women boat and the first

ever German team to compete in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge.  

Speaking in La Gomera ahead of the race, Catharina Streit of Rowhhome said:

"We are four women from Hamburg, coming together with a shared passion for

adventure. We were inspired by the Four Mums On a Boat documentary (a documentary

about four mothers from England who undertook the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge)

and we thought - if they can do it, we can do it. We hope to inspire others and show them

that if you have a dream then you can achieve it."

For b-roll, interviews, photos and more content on teams competing please click here

Talisker is proud to be title sponsor for the sixth year. A challenge with a purpose,

the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge is an inspirational event which draws out

the wild spirit in everyday people to achieve extraordinary things. The oldest distillery

on the Isle of Skye in Scotland, Talisker Single Malt Scotch is very much a product of its

rugged, coastal home. As a whisky Made By The Sea, we want to do our part to protect

our oceans, the most important ecosystem of our planet. In the week leading up to the race

start, Talisker demonstrated their love for the ocean with the introduction of an Ocean School

for all rowers hosted by Parley for the Oceans designed to educate, inspire and empower

the next generation of ocean guardians.

The day before the race, Talisker served up the ultimate wild adventure creating

a unique remote island wilderness experience. Only accessible by sea, it bought

together a tribe of like-minded outdoor adventurers, explorers and ocean

enthusiasts including Talisker Whisky Atlantic rowers, British Adventurer,

James Aiken, friend of the brand Matt Smith and endurance athlete Ross Edgely

all who shared their story of passion for adventure and love of the ocean.

Guests enjoyed 'wild' Talisker cocktails created by Italian bartender, Giorgio Lupi,

who was crowned the winner of Talisker's Wild Spirit Bartender competition.

Wild foraged food was served and prepared over an open fire by Talisker's Wild Chef,

on a FireTable, designed by film maker and friend of the brand, Guy Ritchie.

The innovative new dining experience is a celebration of outdoor cooking and

encouraging togetherness with an innovative design that allows you to sit back and

relax watching your food being beautifully cooked, whilst giving warmth to your

gatherings for hours.

Matt Smith, took time to take part in the experience and meet rowers ahead of the race.

"Thank you to Talisker for inviting me to part of the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Ocean Race.

The very fact anyone can row 3000 miles, let alone across the Atlantic feels unfathomable

to me.  And yet 35 brave teams are about to do just that. I'm thrilled to play a small part as

I wish them bon voyage and a safe return over a whisky. May the best team win. Good luck!"

Natalia Montigny, Head of Global Marketing for Talisker commented:

"For the sixth year, Talisker is proud to be title sponsor of the Talisker Whisky

Atlantic Challenge - one of the world's most challenging and exhilarating adventures.

Our founders, the MacAskill brothers, rowed from Eigg to Skye to found the Talisker Distillery

in Scotland almost 200 years ago and so as a brand we share the same sense of passion

and adventure as the participants.

It's been incredible to hear the rowers' stories first hand this week and share

special moments with them and our tribe of wild spirited adventurers who joined

us at the Talisker Wilderness Bar experience and other events this week.  

We wish all rowers success as they undertake this incredible journey."

CEO of Atlantic Campaigns, Carsten Heron Olsen said:

"Everyone who takes this challenge on has a special spirit, a spirit that will

enable them to achieve extraordinary things over the course of the race.

We all have a bucket list of things in life that we challenge ourselves to try and

accomplish - for the 103 rowers who leave the harbour this week this is a dream

moment.  It's something they have all sacrificed a huge moment to prepare for -

months and even years - and they will inspire millions of people with their stories."  

For notes to editors please click here

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SOURCE: Talisker Whisky