A team of 4 RAF Pilots have finished the Talisker Whisky Atlantic annual ocean rowing Challenge, in second place, raising £33,249 for the Starlight Children’s Foundation.
The ‘Atlantic Flyers’ (Wing Commander Phil Holdcroft, Squadron Leader Sonny Roe, Flight Lieutenant Simon Berry, and Flight Lieutenant Chris Carrington-Smith) took 36 days to complete the toughest sailing challenge pitting teams from around the world against each other – finishing second, behind the ‘Swiss Raw’ team.
Now they have arrived at the end in Nelson’s Dockyard in Antigua & Barbuda, the team can look forward to embracing their family - followed by an ice-cold beer and cooked meal and flushing toilet rather than a bucket, long hot showers, and a bed with fresh cotton sheets.
The RAF Central Fund organised an inter-station virtual challenge to race against the RAF’s Atlantic Flyers. RAF College Cranwell currently lead the race, with RAF Odiham in second and RAF Waddington third. The challenge will end once the first Station crosses the finishes line.
Please read more and donate to the RAF Central Fund challenge here.
Wing Commander Phil Holdcroft was struck by tragedy in 2014, when his daughter, Isla, was diagnosed with Leukaemia. Fortunately, Isla is now a beautiful, happy and healthy 7-year-old in her fourth year of remission; and to mark each year of Isla’s battle, Phil pledged to undertake a near impossible feat and raise money for the incredible charities that supported the family – leading him to take up oars and battle against the waves for the Starlight Children’s Foundation.
Sailing from La Gomera in the Canary Islands, on Sunday 12th December, the team embarked on the life changing venture of self-discovery, trials, and triumphs during a mental and physical challenge that now grants them part of the exclusive comrades who have successfully crossed the Atlantic Ocean.
The rowers worked in pairs for 2-hour shifts, to cover 3000 miles and roughly 1.5 million oar strokes. They also used almost 800 sheets of toilet paper and burned over 5,000 calories each day; saw waves up to 20 feet high and beautiful marine wildlife; and experienced stomach cramps, sleep deprivation, hallucinations, salt sores, and hunger. Returning to land, the team will not miss the mundane routine, containing their thoughts out at sea under the intense midday heat, and being unable to sleep for longer than 1 hour 40 minutes.
Amid the blue expanse, the Atlantic Flyers were fuelled by the many messages of support and donations from the public, and even Christmas cards from the ill hospital children. In return, they posted regular video updates on their progress, and pictures of the stunning scenery, selfies and smiles.
Read more about the Atlantic Flyers challenge and backgrounds here. Or check out their journey on social media:
- Facebook: @AtlanticFlyers2021
- Instagram: @atlanticflyers
- Twitter: @FlyersAtlantic