WORLD'S TOUGHEST ROW

With 21 of the 38 teams rowing the Atlantic in the World’s Toughest race having arrived, records are tumbling! The 38 competing crews, 11 solos, 8 pairs, 6 trios, 12 fours and 1 five, took on the challenge of rowing around 3000 nautical miles from La Gomera to arrive on the hallowed shore of Antigua, pulling thankfully into Nelson’s Dockyard. 

HMS Oardacious won the race, beating the two previous Teams Oardacious. Elliot Awin became the first Briton with a pacemaker to take on the ocean, Frank Rotherwell at 73, was the oldest rower, with 70 year old grandad Vic Handley from Derby in the UK  just a few years behind. Antigua’s Pete Smith retains the record for the oldest man to row the race. 

Salty Science was the First Ladies’ team to arrive in the dockyard, after 38 days, 18 hours, 57 minutes. Three ladies, Team Wavebreakers became record breakers, slicing two days off the previous record for a ladies’ trio, with a time of 40 days, 10 hours, 51 minutes. 

Of the 11 brave solo rowers, Sam Glover of the UK was the first to cross the line in 42 days, 3 hours, 15 minutes. Liz Wardley of Australia became the third solo rower to arrive, finishing the race in English Harbour after 44 days 4 hours and 47 minutes, taking an incredible 15 days off the previous race record. 

Of the teams still all at sea, ladies’ four Eurosafe Blue Atlantics from the Netherlands is due today, with ladies’ trio Vibe the Wave following in their wake with 60 miles to go. 

Aussie Old Salts are bringing up the rear with 1400 miles still to go.