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When four buddies crossed the Atlantic and became the fastest team to complete the world’s toughest row at the end of January, they were just the tip of the iceberg.
The World's 8 Most Grueling Endurance Events
As the remaining rowers headed toward the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge finish line in Antigua, records continued breaking — and this crazy competition isn’t even over.
In addition to the first group,Team Ocean Reunion, beating the previous race record by four days, the team that came in second also smashed a record. Team Row Like A Girlcrossed the finish line second and became the fastest all-women team in the race’s history. Lauren Morton, Bella Collins, Olivia Bolesworth, and Georgina Purdy cut five days offthe record set by Row for Freedom in 2012.
More impressive firsts rolled in behind. When his all-amputee team of veterans was near the halfway point, Lee Spencer got his prosthetic leg stuck between his oar and the side of the boat. His leg snapped and disappeared into the ocean.
“Luckily I brought another along,” Lee told the Daily Mailat the time. “A few twists of an Allen key and I was back in action.”
On February 4, Lee and his Row2Recoveryteammates Cayle Royce, Paddy Gallagher, and Nigel Rogoff became the first all-amputee teamto complete the race, arriving in 46 days six hours and 49 minutes.
“There is life beyond injury — that’s our message,” Skipper Cayle Royce told supporters. Prince Harry delivered congratulationsvia Skype and praised their determination.
Britons Freddie Wright and Jack Galsworthy, both 21, became the youngest pair to complete the race when they finished in tenth place on Monday. During their row, the Atlantic Castawaysswam with a whale, shared the water with cargo ships, and hallucinated a cliff face.
Even an American team got in on the action. Philip Theodore and Daley Ervin of Team Beyond beat the fastest U.S. timeby about seven days. The pair deserved props for continuing to row two hours on and two off despite capsizing twice and having a seven-foot shark bite their rudder.
There were plenty of close calls all around as the rowers endured to raise money for charities. It’s hard to say what’s scarier, this graphic list of injuriesincurred by the Atlantic Lions team or a huge wave capsizing team Atlantic Challenge‘s boat at night, knocking out power and leaving them in total darkness.
Several teams — including all the solo rowers — are still out there, closing in on dry land. And possibly more epic record-breaking.