Tight finish in Atlantic rowing challenge

First to cross the line, and finishing just outside of the course record for two people in a time of 40 days, 9 hours, 15 minutes, were Toby Iles and Nick Moore of Great Britain. Iles, 44, and Moore, 40, are work colleagues who have both sailed around the world but began this challenge with limited rowing experience.

Coming in second was solo rower Andrew Brown, also of Great Britain. Before starting, Brown said he was aiming to finish in 70 to 80 days and had stocked 90 days of food on board. Brown’s solo effort of 40 days, 9 hours, 41 minutes set a new solo row record by more than two days. Brown’s background is in sailing and it was while he was sailing the Atlantic that Brown had the idea of doing a rowing solo.

Throughout the ocean challenge, these two boats swapped the lead several times with Iles and Moore only passing Brown about four hours before the finish. On day 15, Brown talked about the closeness of the race in his blog.

“So after 1000 miles of rowing we (the boat and I) find ourselves very slightly in the lead of the race, which is great news. Over the past 7 days the distance between us and Box 8 (Iles and Moore) was gradually decreasing and at some point yesterday we finally became that bit closer to Barbados than they did.

“I am really pleased and determined to try and stay in this position but I am very aware that just getting across is going to be a big enough challenge and that there is a long way (1500 miles) before the finish line.”

A third boat has now also crossed the line. Setting the record for the youngest four-man crew to row the Atlantic were Adam Wolley, Greg Symondson and Hugo and Ross Turner of Great Britain. They finished in 41 days, 23 hours, 34 minutes. Hugo and Ross have also become the first twins to row across the Atlantic. 

There is no doubt about the toughness of the race. In the first 15 days, five boats pulled out for different reasons ranging from seasickness to capsizing. One boat, Row2Recovery, has received outside help from the supply boat in the form of fresh water after their desalinator broke. They have thus been disqualified in line with the race rules. But the crew of six amputee war veterans, have opted to continue to complete the challenge. Eight boats are still to finish the challenge with the slowest boat, married couple Helena and Richard Smalman-Smith, having 1140 nautical miles to go.

For updates, click here.