News

Having rowed a colossal 2548nm across the Atlantic Ocean, Charlie Pitcher made history this morning by becoming the first solo competitor to win a multi class ocean rowing race. Charlie, in his boat ‘JJ’ crossed the finish line at 2017hrs GMT, in a race-winning time of 52 days 06 hours and 47 minutes. In doing so he has also set a new British record, having eclipsed Sam Knight's record by almost a week.

Back on the 4^th January 2010, following a 29 day weather delay, the Atlantic Rowing Race finally got underway. Charlie initially led after the first day, but was soon overtaken when bad weather put pay to the fleet’s progress with many crews, including Charlie, using their para-anchors to avoid losing ground to the finish. However a week later Charlie was back at the front and continued to lead the fleet all the way to the finish line.

In the first few weeks of the race Charlie was showing pace that could have seen him surpass the current solo record of 42 days, but further adverse weather saw him lose too much time in the middle of the race.

After crossing the finish line Charlie had both his young sons join him on the boat to enjoy his final moments at sea having now joined the handful of people that have successfully rowed across an ocean.

Congratulations Charlie on a phenomenal win and a successful crossing from all at Woodvale Challenge Ltd.