Team Wild Waves Claims New World Record for The Fastest Overall Pair Crossing on The Mid-Pacific in the World’s Toughest Row
July 23 2024 - 5:47PM
Business Wire
After setting the previous women’s pairs
record on Atlantic in 2022 and shattering the overall pairs
crossing time on the mid–Pacific on July 15, Best friends Charlotte
Harris and Jessica Oliver are now the number one team on the
ultimate leaderboard of ocean rowing
Best Friends Charlotte Harris and Jessica Oliver have once again
made waves in the world of ocean rowing by claiming the title of
the fastest pairs crossing at the World's Toughest Row. This
victory marks their second oceanic record, following their Atlantic
feat in 2022.
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Jessica and Charlotte of Team Wild Waves
enjoy Ryde: Wellbeing Shots Prior to Launching in the World's
Toughest Row. (Photo: Business Wire)
On June 8, 2024, the duo departed the start line in Monterey, CA
on a 2800 mile adventure to Hanalei, Kaua’i alongside eight
competing teams. Throughout the 37-day journey, the team navigated
extreme weather, strong currents, and physical strain, rowing day
and night in specialized ocean boats. Only 31 teams have
successfully completed the challenge and the average crossing time
for all crew sizes is 62 days.
After a nail biting 37 days, 11 hours, 43 minutes, and estimated
1.5 million oar strokes, Harris (33 of England) and Oliver (32 of
Ireland) beat the current world record for female pairs at 46 days,
17 hours, 47 minutes. The women continue to prove that teamwork,
grit, communications and the power of female friendship is their
winning formula.
“The women were the ones to watch,” said World’s Toughest Row
CEO and Race Director, Carsten Heron Olsen. “Wild Waves were up
against Liz and Lena. Liz is one of the most experienced sailors in
the world. She has over half a million miles under her belt. She
can read the waves and the current. When she signed up, it added a
layer of pressure to Wild Waves,'' he said. Liz and Lena were
leading the competition for over half the race. In the final four
days on the Pacific, team Harris and Oliver rowed two on – meaning
both women were “on” with no rest. It paid off.
“It’s really cool because you see these two girls who love to
party and laugh, but when they sit down in that boat, they turn it
on,” said Olsen. “You don't have to look or act like a super
athlete. If you have the right mindset, you can do something that
seems completely impossible. They show everyone who has doubts
about them.”
“This is absolutely the hardest thing we’ve ever done,” said
team Wild Waves. “Our teamwork is what got us through. The reason
we win is our friendship.” Along the journey, the duo faced
steering malfunctions and unforgiving weather patterns. They humbly
admit to having a few breakdowns, and always found ways to build
each other up. Shouting “stay focused, stay awake, keep rowing” to
the endless sea and sky around them, the women held their own
against mother nature.
Rowing non-stop with no chaser boat and no food drops, the
athletes rely only on their training and each other. New wellbeing
shot brand, Ryde: has been an involved supporter of Harris and
Oliver, offering three wellbeing shots of Energize, Focus, and
Relax to help them manage every moment throughout their journey. In
addition to achieving their record-breaking row, the pair was the
first to deliver Ryde: shots to the island by hand.
The women are not only good at what they do – but they’re on a
mission to do good. In addition to their stellar performance on the
water, they’re raising vital funds for Shelter charity which helps
defend the right to a safe home and the devastating impact the
housing emergency has on people and communities.
With their latest victory, Team Wild Waves holds records in both
the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, solidifying their legacy as the
fun-loving pair who dominate in the world of ocean rowing.
For more on Ryde: https://us.ryde.com/
Follow on Instagram: @ryde_usa | @teamwildwaves
For more on World’s Toughest Row:
https://www.worldstoughestrow.com/
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