26 nov HCL supports Dutchess of the Sea in TWAC20, the premier event in ocean rowing
Global technology company lends its support to one of the first Dutch Women’s team in the ‘world’s toughest’ ocean rowing race.
HCL Technologies, a leading global technology company, is a diamond sponsor of the Dutchess of the Sea, an all-women Dutch team rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean in this year’s Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge. Setting off on 12th December 2020, the four Dutch rowers will travel non-stop from San Sebastian in La Gomera, Canary Islands to Nelson’s Dockyard English Harbour in Antigua & Barbuda in support of two great causes – Plastic Soup Foundation and ALS Neuromuscular Research.
“These causes mean a lot to us personally, and we are delighted to partner with HCL Technologies, an organization that embraces diversity and sustainability as core values,” says Bela Evers, one of the team members.
“Our friend suffered from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS); by using our own muscle power for this major feat, we want to create awareness for this debilitating disease. We are fortunate we have control over our muscles, and that is something not to be taken for granted. However, the health of our environment is also a critical concern. The ocean will be home to us for six to eight weeks, and we want to treat it with respect. The ocean is a special place, which is a great source of oxygen, and any pollution is not only detrimental to our planet, but also to the oceanic ecosystem. We need to stop plastic waste, which is a major cause of concern for the seas,” adds Bela.
This is not the first time HCL Technologies has lent its support to extreme ocean sport. In 2017-18, HCL was the strategic IT services provider to the Ocean Race, often described as the world’s longest professional sporting event.
“HCL is proud to support the inspirational Dutchess of the Sea team, which is associated with such noble and worthy causes. Travelling 3,000 miles propelled by more than 1.5 million oar strokes requires a great amount of perseverance and determination. This resilience and leadership shown by the team drew us towards them as they share and resonate HCL’s spirit of pushing boundaries and redefining what is possible,” says Sudip Lahiri, SVP and Head of Financial Services, Europe, HCL Technologies.
“At HCL, we strive to improve the lives of vulnerable people by leveraging science, technology, ideapreneurship and innovation. We focus on areas where we can drive the most progress — health, education, technology and employment. HCL co-creates sustainability-focused initiatives with our ecosystem partners,” adds Sudip Lahiri. HCL is also aligned to the ten principles of the United Nations Global Compact on human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption.
The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge brings together people from all walks of life for one big challenge: crossing the ocean in a rowing boat. This year up to 21 teams will be participating, and it will be the first time that an all-women Dutch team is taking part in the race.
Photo credits: Evert van de Worp