Former Clipper Race crew win race across the Atlantic

Two Clipper 2009 - 10 Race crew members have taken first place in one of the world’s toughest endurance rowing races across the Atlantic.

Friends 54 year-old Mike Burton and 30 year-old Tom Salt first met while circumnavigating the globe on board Hull and Humber, were the first to cross the finish line today of the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge 2013.

Mike and Tom beat 15 other international teams rowing over 3000 miles of Atlantic Ocean from San Sebastian in La Gomera to Nelson’s Dockyard English Harbour, Antigua on board Locura - their 6 metre long by 1.5 metre wide ocean rowing boat.

The challenge has taken the pair just under six weeks to complete, raising funds for the Generous Hearts Foundation in Romania. 

Commenting on their win, Tom says: “Mike and I are absolutely ecstatic to have won! We’re no strangers to extreme challenges, but this is definitely the hardest thing we’ve ever done and pushed us to new limits both physically and mentally. We will be celebrating this evening with our friends and family – and the burger we have been dreaming about since day one!”

PHOTO CREDIT: Ben Duffy