Vartry Rowing Club wins the Celtic Challenge, the world's longest open sea race
The victorious crew from Vartry Rowing Club
A hearty congratulations to Vartry Rowing Club in Wicklow, sponsored by Flogas Ireland, which has won the Celtic Challenge, the world’s longest open sea rowing race, on the May bank holiday weekend.
A boat with a 12-man crew from Vartry Rowing Club in Wicklow was one of 16 boats and their all-male, all-female and mixed crews who began non-stop overnight row on Friday 28 April from the South Beach in Arklow.
The Celtic Challenge measures 78 nautical miles (144.5km) from Arklow to Aberstwyth in the UK and is recognised by the Guinness Book of Records as the longest open water rowing race in the world.
Well-known TV chef Derry Clarke and his friend Pascal Ryan provided and crewed the vital support boat for the Vartry Rowing club.
George O'Brien is chair of the Vartry Rowing Club and he was team leader for the epic row. George said, “I’ve competed in the Celtic Challenge several times before but that was one of the toughest races ever. I am so proud of my crew, they were fantastic and the support from everyone was amazing. Thank you to Flogas for their wonderful support of the club through thick and thin.”