Vodafone teams win classes and break a World Record in row across Atlantic for Planet charities

Two teams of Vodafone employees have completed an epic row across the Atlantic, one of them breaking a World Record in the process. Both teams are raising money for Vodafone Foundation’s Your Planet appeal.

The World’s Toughest Row is an annual 3,000 mile (4,800 km) row from San Sebastián de la Gomera in the Canary Islands to Nelson’s Dockyard in Antigua.

Blue Tusk was the first boat back on Saturday 20 January after 38 days, 18 hours and 29 minutes on the water. David Tiplady, Chris Wood and Aaron Kneebone were the first men’s trio to finish this year’s event and were the sixth boat to finish overall.

Wavebreakers – Bobbie Mellor, Katherine Antrobus and Hattie Carder - broke the World Record time for fastest female trio to row across the Atlantic. They completed the challenge on Monday 22 January after 40 days, 10 hours and 51 minutes. They broke the previous World Record by two days. Wavebreakers was the 10^th boat back overall of the 37 boats expected to complete the challenge.

The teams are seeking to raise money for environmental charities. Wavebreakers are raising money for the WWF’s Climate Crisis Fund and UNHCR’s Climate Crisis work. Blue Tusk is raising money for the Tusk Trust and Blue Marine Foundation.

Commenting at the finish to the race, Chris Wood described it as, “Brutal, relentless and exhilarating.”

Bobbie Mellor said: “It’s been wild. We had a shaky start, put up our power anchor and then gradually got back to the rest of the fleet. We kept going and now we are here.”

Lisa Felton, Director of Vodafone Foundation, said: “We are so, so proud of both teams who have battled large waves, high winds and sea sickness. Wavebreakers even capsized at one point! It is amazing to see people work so hard for the causes they believe in. They have earned every penny donated so far.”