Devon crews riding high in the toughest race

Crews in the World’s Toughest Row across the Atlantic have, during the past week, started to settle into their tasks and routines as they head west towards Antigua.

The leading crew from the Netherlands, Row for Cancer, have completed over 1,300 nautical miles with an expected arrival date of January 17 and completing the race in 36 days.

Thirty-eight ocean rowing boats with 110 ocean rowers representing 21 nations left San Sebastian de La Gomera on December 11.

The 2024 race is a 3,000 mile unsupported rowing race across the Atlantic Ocean west from San Sebastian in La Gomera in the Canary Islands (280N 180W) to Nelson’s Dockyard in English Harbour, Antigua & Barbuda (170N 610W).

The 38 competing crews are made up of 6 solos, 11 pairs, 4 trios, 15 fours and 2 fives. One solo rower returned within two hours of the start with technical problems.

Amongst the local crews are rowers from Exmouth, Team Rollocks who were at Dartmouth Regatta this year; a local businessman from Teignmouth, Tim Cox aboard Oar Mighty Mate; and Atlantic Exploarers in an ocean rowing boat named Rockfisher 2 with connections to Brixham.

Atlantic Exploarers, a four, are currently 5th: Team Rollocks, a five, are 21st ; and Oar Mighty Mates, a pair, 26th.

All of the crews celebrated Christmas Day with some experiencing unusual events. For example, Team Graft suffered a marlin spike through the stern cabin, flooding the compartment underneath. This is where a marlin fish rams its beak into a boat piercing the hull. The crew successfully carried out repairs to the flooded compartment and underwater.

Like many other crews, Oar Mighty Mates spotted a shark. By complete coincidence...Tim says that they are in no rush to get in the water to clean the bottom of the boat. They’ve been going for ten days, so it could be time soon to do it, a job that will have to be done at some point!