Brantford woman sets new world record for sailing across Atlantic Ocean

A Brantford woman and her American partner have become the fastest women’s sailing pair to cross the Atlantic Ocean, setting a new world record.

Lisa Roland and Lauren (Nini) Champion crossed the finish line of the 2023 Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge on Saturday, marking an end to a miraculous 45-day journey across the Atlantic Ocean.

The pair surpassed the previous world record by only five hours and 58 minutes, set in 2021 by the team “Wild Waves.”

The unassisted rowing race kicked off in La Gomera, Spain and saw competitors travel roughly 3,000 nautical miles to finish in English Harbour, Antigua.

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Roland and Champion identify as Team Ocean Grown and have worked together to develop a maritime education grant called the Bridges Over Water Fund.

It’s aimed towards providing ten young adults who have aged out of the foster care system with an opportunity to find a career in the maritime industry.

Roland previously spent time in the foster care system before growing up to become the captain of a yacht and says the cause is near and dear to her heart.

(Cover image courtesy of World’s Toughest Row on Facebook.)