Hong Kong rugby players row the Atlantic, win trio class and raise nearly US$100,000 for ChildFund Rugby
- Martin Muller, Rob Lennox and Matthew Bell arrive in Antigua after 37 days at sea, as the fastest trio in the Atlantic Campaigns race
- The Valley rugby players are raising money for ChildFund Rugby, which uses rugby development to foster gender equality and end violence against children
Three Hong Kong rugby players have rowed across the Atlantic in 37 days, and won the trio class of the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Campaigns too. Team East Rows West has raised almost US$100,000 (HK$779,206) for ChildFund Rugby.
Martin Muller, Rob Lennox and Matthew Bell departed from La Gomera in the Canary Islands on December 12, and arrived in Antigua in the early hours of January 19 local time.
“It’s a pretty amazing feeling, fantastic to see everyone here to see us, to see the support of everyone who’s come to welcome us. After 37 days plus out there, it is just a massive emotional moment to be here and see everyone,” Brit Lennox said on arrival.
They rowed the Atlantic unsupported, carrying all their own food and making their own water with a solar powered desalinator, and going to the bathroom in a bucket with no privacy. They rowed in shifts – two hours on, two hours off – to keep the boat moving 24/7.
“[We saw] no whales, some dolphins. Much to Rob’s disappointment, he’s decided there aren’t actually any whales in the Atlantic Ocean,” South African Bell joked on the finish.