Atlantic Ambition Sponsorship

Fews Marquees sponsored the Atlantic Ambition rowing team who took on the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge. Covering 3000 miles from La Gomera to Antigua, it is recognised as the world’s toughest rowing race. Crews tested the limit of their physical and mental strength; to achieve something unthinkable, rowing unaided across the Atlantic ocean. The race began in early December2019, where the team aimed to reach Antigua in just 40 days. Two of the four man crew were former employees of Fews Marquees, Ewan Bell and Ed Wilson, and their motivation went beyond a physical and mental challenge.

As part of the project, Atlantic Ambition raised money for causes related to the health of our oceans. The Marine Conservation Society and The Surfrider Foundation are both involved in the sustainable use of our oceans, by minimising the harm when harvesting resources when fishing or extracting oil, and working to prevent and remove marine litter and pollution.

The journey also generated important scientific data. In a first of it’s kind, they conducted scientific research by measuring critical ocean properties during the crossing. Utilizing Smartfin technology the boat was fitted with custom sensors that measured the important ocean properties, including temperature, dissolved oxygen and chlorophyll levels.

This unique data set will be used to help researchers and scientific communities understand trends in the Atlantic Oceans health.
Atlantic Ambition finished 7th in 39 days 21 hours and 2 minutes, beating their target and demonstrating that their preparation, teamwork and determination were right on the mark.

Ian Few, managing director at Fews Marquees, commented, “We are very proud of the chaps and are delighted to have supported them in their once-in-a-lifetime challenge. We only ever support projects that fit with our core philosophy and strategies, and Atlantic Ambition’s exciting project dovetailed very neatly in both cases.”

In combination with other components of the Fews sustainability strategy, such as environmental accreditations, optimised logistics, and the use of solar power and a comprehensive biomass heating system to fuel it’s offices and warehouse, Fews Marquees is taking a lead in environmental sustainability.

As a post script – there’s some photos below of what 39 days on the Atlantic does for the complexion: