BAAR, SWITZERLAND / AGILITYPR.NEWS / March 31, 2026 / SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, is delighted to highlight the victory of team 44west in the World’s Toughest Row – Atlantic in a Consumer Compact article.

The partnership between SGS and 44west began in September 2025, reaching a triumphant conclusion as the Swiss four-man team became the first to cross the finish line at Nelson’s Dockyard in Antigua on January 15, 2026. A 31-day row from La Gomera in waves reaching up to six meters at times, in temperatures ranging from 10 degrees to over 30, 44west achieved not only competitive success, but also raised CHF 42,832 to support the building of a new reef in the Philippines.

Aligning success with security and safety

The team’s commitment to performance, teamwork and sustainability was mirrored in their partnership with SGS, who provided a broad package of testing services to ensure the reliability, strength and safety of the team’s systems. Food packaging, food contents, solar photovoltaic systems, communication/navigation devices and the crucial jackstay system for securing people and equipment on deck were evaluated under rigorous conditions to ensure optimum performance throughout the crossing.

‘We row for biodiversity’

Luca Fayd’herbe de Maudave, Matthias Fernandez, Lorenzo Henseler and Julian Müller wanted to create a meaningful environmental impact. In partnership with rrreefs, an organization dedicated to restoring healthy coral ecosystems, the team’s fundraising efforts have supported the construction of a dedicated 44west reef in Pajuda Bay in the Philippines, using rrreef’s innovative 3D-printed reef structures to support the recovery of marine life.

A shared journey of trust and responsibility

This initiative was a perfect match for SGS’s own work. While supporting 44west in La Gomera, microplastic testing was carried out in the surrounding coastal waters and an environmental DNA (eDNA) assessment was completed in the forests of Garajonay National Park – demonstrating SGS’s commitment to nature.

Géraldine Picaud, CEO of SGS, congratulated the team and reflected on the successful partnership: ‘Supporting 44west is not just about breaking records. It is about championing bold ideas, protecting the environment, inspiring performance, great teamwork and local talent. We are proud to stand behind a team whose ambition and values mirror our own.’

With a similar mindset to 44west, SGS’s global network and broad range of capabilities supported a challenge that tested everything from electric and electronic systems to environmental impact evaluations – enabling direct, responsible and far-reaching action to make a meaningful difference.

Read the full article ‘Testing Expertise Behind a Winning Atlantic Crossing’.

IMPACT NOW for sustainability

Through its four IMPACT NOW for sustainability pillars – climate, nature, ESG assurance and circularity – SGS offers innovative solutions that support smarter decisions, regulatory compliance and environmental responsibility. Learn more about IMPACT NOW for sustainability.

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