Lance Lee(USA) and Bernard Cadoret(France) initiated Atlantic Challenge in 1986, when gigs from these two countries competed under the statue of liberty. Since, we have grown to over 12 nations, and over 55 Bantry Bay gigs have been built worldwide. During the contests teams are housed and fed together in a local school or campground. Besides their daily efforts on the water, team members from different countries have ample time to spend together, and many form lifetime friendships with their international peers.