After a long and challenging road with many COVID-19 related obstacles, the fleet of 2020 successfully made it out to La Gomera for the start of the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge (TWAC).
I have nothing but pure admiration for anyone who successfully creates, builds and runs a successful ocean rowing campaign and gets to the start line of their respective ocean/route. The age-old saying springs to mind: “The hardest part of rowing an ocean is getting to start line” … while that isn’t always the case there has never been a year where it would be more appropriate with all of the extra Covid hurdles, brick walls, barbwire and booby traps. So, to see all 21 boats lined up in La Gomera ready for 2 weeks of careful preparation genuinely made me quite emotional. I am so pleased for every single rower and team who made it! There are many that didn’t … to those rowers you have my sincerest of condolences. I too have experienced my own Covid ocean row postponement with the Latitude35 team in the Great Pacific Race 2020 so I can relate and I empathise whole heartedly. Your patience and perseverance now will be rewarded, keep focussed and keep driving forward … you will be stronger, wiser and even more prepared to tackle your ocean when the time comes.
The boat park, TWAC2020. Photo credited to Penny Bird of Atlantic Campaigns.
Back to La Gomera.
Atlantic Campaigns (AC) is the company that runs the TWAC, they have been absolutely incredible and have worked tirelessly to ensure this year’s race goes ahead. With lots of different and regularly updated Covid protocols as well as working closely with the Spanish government they successfully managed to create a safe environment in which the race could not only go ahead but go smoothly and for the rowers to still enjoy their ‘La Gomera Experience’. Congratulations to all of the team at Atlantic Campaigns for what is a truly incredible achievement! Another congratulations goes to Rannoch Adventure who successfully facilitated (nearly) the entire fleet’s shipping as well as the majority of the boats too, again another incredible achievement!
The first week in La Gomera always comprises team registration, pre-race compliance inspection and medical briefings for each team with the Race Doctor.
Each year the general level of preparedness throughout the fleet seems to be even better than the last. Especially the standard of kit and equipment preparation. As already mentioned, this year’s fleet have faced a lot of challenges due to Covid which if anything I think has focussed the teams to be even more prepared and sharper than ever.
Over a period of 4 days the AC Safety Team completed the compliance inspections. I have had the pleasure of working with 7 teams in this year’s TWAC; Atlantic Antics, For A Fitter Planet, Martyn Thornton (Atlantic Solo), On Shoulders Of Giants, Oardacity, Rob Hamilton (Atlantic Titan) and Team HPF. I was really pleased that they all passed their inspections with flying colours. After the inspections it was time to pack the boats carefully ensuring they were trimmed effectively then repacked where necessary. With a few layers of antifoul speed polish and the final logos and stickers added … the teams were ready for their boats to be launched and to touch the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, some for the very first time.
Post compliance inspection with Team For A Fitter Planet discussing a strategy for boat packing. Photo credited to Penny Bird of Atlantic Campaigns.
Once launched the boats are rowed over to the pontoon. It’s an incredible sight seeing all of the boats lined up, primed and ready to go.
The second phase of La Gomera entails confirmation rows in the training area, daily race briefings comprising everything from safety to weather long casts.
The reason I say confirmation rows as opposed to training rows is because all of the training is done by this stage. The teams have done all of their mandatory hours (120 as a minimum) and it is purely an opportunity to refresh, rehearse the start and blow the cobwebs off.
Confirmation row in the training area with team For A Fitter Planet. Photo credited to Penny Bird of Atlantic Campaigns.
I was very fortunate within the AC guidelines to be able to get out on the water with my teams. We went out and conducted our skills and drills; shift change, Man Over Board, para anchor deployment and retrieval, auto tiller change and then conducted the water maker start up procedure and ran the water maker. It is always a special moment for the teams heading out of San Sebastian Marina for the first time and experiencing what will very soon be the start of their epic adventure!
A lot of teams this year managed to get some time away from the boats for a few hours to have a bit of a decompress whether that was taking a walk up the hills to see the stunning views or renting a car and exploring the island. Having some form of breather can actually be really valuable if possible, it gives the teams an opportunity to reflect and compose.
I had the pleasure of meeting some of the TWAC future crews who were out recce’ing the start. I met; The Entrepreneur Ship, Force Atlantic, The Salty Sappers, Sandro (A Lung Journey) and Elijahs Star. Good luck to you all with your preparations and campaigns over the next 12 months.
On 12 December 2020, with all of the preparations, inspections, packing, repacking, confirmation rows, practise starts, race briefings, fine tuning, and final Covid tests it was time for the start of the TWAC2020!
This year sees a new format for the race with a Race Class and Open Class. This has been implemented to make the race as fair as possible and to put like for like boats in the same category as one another. Therefore, the Race Class comprises all Rannoch R45’s and R25’s which all weigh a fairly similar weight, are kitted out with fairly similar equipment and the idea being that the race element comes down to which team rows the hardest, takes the best route and shows the best team work and seamanship while on the ocean. There are 17 boats in this race class.
The Open Class then comprises all other boat designs and models. This year there are 4 boats in the open class including two boats we have never seen before. One of which is Team Row4Cancer’s boat Maria, she is a DOR12 which we have seen before in TWAC2019 however this boat is different … she is made completely from carbon fibre and is fully custom made to the requirements of the team. She is extremely light and has been very well designed by Mark and Kai with the Dutch Ocean Expeditions company. It is going to be very interesting to see how she gets on. It is no secret Mark is a very experienced ocean rower and sailor having won the TWAC2017 solo category and smashing the world record in the process. So, they’re definitely a team to keep your eye on.
Having a quick chat with Kai Wiedmer before the race start. Photo credited to Penny Bird of Atlantic Campaigns.
The race start was incredible. The atmosphere was electric! Speaking to various teams on race day the general feeling was a huge combination of excitement, nerves and relief. Relief that their moment was finally here and they were about to embark upon their epic adventure.
I am extremely excited to see this year’s race unfold with so many thoroughly prepared teams having left no stone unturned … it is without doubt going to be exciting and exhilarating all the way to Antigua. With a year full of uncertainty, we have all needed something to look forward to and for me it is certainly this race. To follow the fleet as their adventure unfolds check out the tracker over on the AC website here. To get regular updates about the fleet follow AC on social media here and here.
To each and every rower out on the Atlantic right now, you are all heroes, you have shown incredible grit and determination to get through all of the challenges you have faced this year and that mindset will undoubtedly serve you well on the ocean.
Good luck, fair winds, following seas and God speed!