New Orleans Saints legend Jimmy Graham and the rowing team have completed the Arctic Challenge in a little over 10 days, rowing over 584 nautical miles.
The team of four including Graham, Andrew Tropp, Hannah Huppi and John Huppi broke the previous record for a team of four of 15 days, 5 hours and 32 minutes, set by Ocean Revival in 2023.
The team set a number of firsts by completing this voyage: being the first mixed-gender team of four to row across the Arctic Ocean, as well as being the first all-American team to row across a polar ocean. Graham is the first black person to row a polar ocean while Hannah Huppi is the first American woman to row a polar ocean.
The team battled inclement conditions throughout the voyage as weather forced the team to drop anchor at two points en route, as well as dealing with rain and clouds that hampered their ability to recharge electronics.
The group set off July 4 from Tromsø, Norway rowing to Longyearbyen, Svalbard, arriving July 14.
After 18 months of training, the team came in at the low end of their 10-20 day estimate on how long it would take. For crews of all sizes, the average south to north Arctic crossing is 16.5 days, according to the Arctic Challenge.
The team celebrated its accomplishment with some pizza at a local restaurant before heading off for some much-needed rest on dry land.
The team used this effort to help raise money for Covenant House New Orleans and Laureus Sport for Good New Orleans with a goal to raise $1 million, one dollar for every meter rowed across the Arctic Ocean.
"Just wanted to remind everybody why we are out here and to go on the map and donate what you can for the kids," Graham said during the third day of the expedition. "The reason why we are sitting here, suffering so much is to bring opportunities to others so we appreciate the support."
