Tech Toolkit for Modern Adventurers

Tech Trends takes a look at how technology will play a role in the 2017 Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge.

One of the world’s toughest endurance races is about to kick off in La Gomera, part of the Canary Islands off the coast of Spain. Sponsored by Talisker Whisky more than 30 teams of adventurers from around the globe will try to row 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean to the island of Antigua in the West Indies while not drowning, being eaten by sharks or going raving mad after spending 40–70 days stuck with the same sweaty teammates.

And as we’ve seen when we covered the F1-Level technology behind the America’s Cup race, technology can lend a hand in helping modern adventurers achieve their goals — in one piece. And when you are out on the open ocean you will be glad of any help you can get!

At first glance the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge conjures up images of whiskered sailors drifting at sea, rowing in shifts and hungrily eyeing up each other up (not in that way) but in the 21st century technology has made the race race safer, the boats faster and more energy-efficient. It also ensures communications with home are more reliable, and that those rations are nutritious enough to discourage a cannibalism (THAT’s what I meant, get your mind out of the gutter). The whiskers, however, remain the same!