From the inspiring to the tragic, ‘Adventure News of the Week’ presents a wrap-up of top news in the world of exploration and adventure.
CROSSING: US Team Rows Across Atlantic Ocean in Talisker Challenge. Today, the 2020 Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge — a 3,000-mile voyage across the Atlantic Ocean via rowboat — officially began.
The voyage takes anywhere from 30-50 days and crosses the Atlantic from La Gomera in the Canary Islands, Spain, to Antigua in the Caribbean. Latitude 35 is the only U.S.-based team on the docket. You can follow race progress and team trackers here.
HIKE: New Trail System Complete in Jacksonville, Florida. The most populous city in Florida, it’s no secret that Jacksonville is urban. But it’s also home to the largest urban park system in our country.
Jacksonville recently unveiled its new 7 Creeks Recreation Trail Area, a network of preserves, roads, seven creeks, and over 30 miles of trails. The new rec area offers areas for hiking, biking, horseback riding, kayaking, boating, paddleboarding, fishing, and more.
ATHLETE: Freeride MTB Athlete Semenuk Signs With MIPS. Who says safety isn’t cool? MIPS, the world-leading helmet-based safety technology company, recently founded its Team MIPS program and joins the long list of brands in the sponsorship world. Brandon Semenuk is just the second athlete to join Team MIPS, the first being the Swedish freeskier Henrik Harlaut.
Semenuk is a three-time FMB World Tour gold medalist, three-time Red Bull Rampage winner, and five-time Red Bull Joyride winner.
BIKE: Cannondale Donates Bikes to USA Cycling Raffle for Funds for New Program. Cannondale recently launched a program with its pro team, EF Pro Cycling, to provide funding and mentorship to new co-ed cycling teams at HBCUs and TCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Tribal Colleges and Universities).
Now, to support its efforts, USAC has created a raffle. Donate $20 to support the programs, and you’ll get a chance to win a limited team-edition Cannondale x Rapha x Palace bike.
USAC will accept donations tomorrow through Dec. 23 and will randomly select and announce winners on Dec. 23. Two bikes are up for raffle, and winners will also receive special-edition jerseys, helmets, and sunglasses.
