The Atlantic Rowing Race is an ocean rowing race from the Canary Islands to the West Indies, a distance of approximately 2,550 nm (2,930 statute miles or 4,700 km). The race was founded in 1997 by Sir Chay Blyth with subsequent races roughly every two years since. The early races were run by Challenge Business Ltd. until the race was bought by Woodvale Events Ltd., managed by Simon Chalk, in October 2003. In May 2012, Atlantic Campaigns SL, managed by Carsten Heron Olsen bought the rights to the Atlantic Rowing Race, now called The "Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge" – The World's Toughest Row. Since 2015, the race has been held annually starting each December. 1997 – Port St. Charles Rowing Race Departure Port: Playa San Juan, Tenerife Arrival Port: Port St. Charles, Barbados Race Start: 12 October 1997 Teams Starting: 30 Teams Finishing: 24 Categories: Pairs Winning Boat: Kiwi Challenge Team Name: Kiwi Challenge Country: Rowers: Rob Hamill and Phil Stubbs Time: 41 days, 2 hours, and 55 minutes 2001 – Ward Evans Atlantic Rowing Race Departure Port: Playa San Juan, Tenerife Arrival Port: Port St. Charles, Barbados Race Start: 7 October 2001 Teams Starting: 36 Teams Finishing: 33 Categories: Pairs Winning Boat: Telecom Challenge 1 Team Name: Telecom Challenge 1 Country: Rowers: Matt Goodman and Steve Westlake Time: 42 days, 4 hours, and 3 minutes 2003 – Woodvale Atlantic Rowing Race Departure Port: San Sebastián de la Gomera Arrival Port: Port St. Charles, Barbados Race Start: 19 October 2003 Teams Starting: 17 Teams Finishing: 14 Categories: Singles, Pairs Winning Boat: Team Name: Holiday Shoppe Challenge Country: Rowers: James Fitzgerald and Kevin Biggar Time: 40 days, 4 hours, and 3 minutes 2004 – Ocean Rowing Society Atlantic Rowing Regatta Departure Port: San Sebastián de la Gomera Arrival Port: English Harbour, Antigua Race Start: 20 January 2004 Teams Starting: 13 Teams Finishing: 12 Categories: Singles, Pairs, 1x Four Winning Boat: Team Name: Atlantic-4 Country: Rowers: David Martin, Neil Wightwick, Glynn Coupland, and George Simpson Time: 49 days, 14 hours, 21 minutes 2005 – Woodvale Atlantic Rowing Race Departure Port: San Sebastián de la Gomera Arrival Port: English Harbour, Antigua Race Start: 30 November 2005 Teams Starting: 27 Teams Finishing: 20 Categories: Singles, Pairs, Fours Winning Boat: Team Name: C2 Country: Rowers: Clint Evans and Chris Andrews Time: 52 days, 2 hours, 10 minutes For more race details, see: 2005 Woodvale Atlantic