Last year we rowed, this year we watch. And watching the dots is what we still do, the TWAC 2021 is not over yet. Couple of times a day we check the progress of all teams and some teams in particular. The variable winds, the wildlife. Moon, stars, mirror-like ocean, it brings back many memories, sometimes too many even as we long for the ocean so much.

It was absolutely fantastic to win the female class of the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge last year. When we see the footage of our entering the harbour it is easy to feel that euphoria again. The Ocean bites you and never lets go for the rest of our lives. 

This year, we see our friend Erin with her team One Ocean Crew winning the female class. The euphoria feels so close, it gives us goosebumps all over! The other team we watch closely is team (and boat in particular) the two Rowing Finns. We see them winning the Pairs, what a fantastic job they’ve done! 

We can now introduce you to our most important teammember: the boat! The Two Rowing Finns is gonna be ours after the race. Our main sponsor is hereby Maritinus who so kindly and generously finances the boat for us. Thank you so much!

We will surely give you an update once the boat comes closer to the Netherlands. We will look after her very well and hope she will be a safe (and fast!) place for us just as she was for the Rowing Finns team. 

Congratulations Marcus and Jolle, looking forward to meeting you and your winning boat!  

The Buzz is enormous on Facebook the last 14 days. On the 1^st of December, all the participating Teams of the TWAC2021 are present in San Sebastian de La Gomera. They post every movement of themselves and their family. Teams are busy packing stuff, prepare for the last safety inspections, try to relax, do some exercises and putting their boats in the water.  When I check my Facebook I see pictures of the harbour and a glimpse of the Ocean were we left shore with the Atlantic Dutchesses and sometimes I long to go back. La Gomera is a lovely small Canary Island with quite some diversity in nature. The rowers of the TWAC are as diverse as the island. Solo-rowers, pairs, teams of 3,4, and even 5 rowers. They all have their own stories, why they want to row the Atlantic.

On the 12^th of December the horn blows 36 times. For the first time I watch the start and see all the teams head for the Ocean. Now I know what my family and friends thought and felt.

I feel kind of restless, nervous, until the last boat leaves the harbour. Because I know exactly how the rowers feel.  Mixed feelings all over the place and understanding both worlds now. It was a beautiful send off, as friends, family watched till the rowers were out of sight. Disappearing behind the horizon.  

Now I know why I felt safe on the Atlantic Ocean, a lot of people were watching over me and all the other rowers of the TWAC, as a dot on the Yellow Brick app.

We follow them closely. Before we become a dot again ourselves in a year and half time.

Marieke

This is where it started. A nice hike on the island of Tiengemeten, south of Rotterdam and right in between our towns. Even though, our story started way before this day in October. After returning to the Netherlands, with salt in our veins and an intense memory of the Atlantic Crossing with the Atlantic Dutchesses, we knew our story wasn't finished yet. We wanted more. We missed the Sea, the Ocean, every drop of it. We said: if I ever take up a rowing adventure again, it will be with you. And there it is. Atlantic Campaigns plans to organise the Pacific Challenge. We're in! On Tiengemeten we talked about the project, the campaign. What do we need, where to find, sponsors, the lot. We knew we wanted to support the Womens' Heart again, it couldn't be something else. A lot of questions and a mile-long to do list. That is a start. The start of a new adventure. Pacific, here we come!