Capsized US veteran Fight Oar Die rowing team make it back to dry land
An All-American team of four military veterans, capsized by a wave during a 3,000-mile rowing challenge across the Atlantic Ocean, have returned to dry land.
The Fight Oar Die team was on day 16 of the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge – the 'world's toughest row' when they were struck by a wave and their boat turned over on 28 December.
The four-strong team abandoned into a life raft when they could not right their rowing boat and were picked up by the Hanze Goteborg, a Dutch bulk carrier.
The rescued team have now reached the southwestern shore town of Contrecoeur in Quebec, Canada, where they were greeted by their families and loved ones who posted their arrival on social media.
A post for the Fight Oar Die team said: "Chad, Will, Nick and Tommy stepped onto dry land on Wednesday, January 10th in Contrecoeur, QC, for the first time since departing La Gomera on December 12th.
"They were reunited with their significant others shortly after and were able to get a well-deserved day of rest.
"The team was taken to the US Consulate, where they were issued temporary passports. With those now in hand they will be travelling home over the next two days and looking forward to being on US soil.
"We are extremely grateful to our community for their support since the team was rescued."
The post went on: "We have made many new friends over the last few weeks who have been instrumental in helping us get the boys home.
"We ask for understanding and patience in allowing the guys time to settle back into daily life and meet with their loved ones. We can breathe a sigh of relief to have them home.
"The boys are grateful for all of the messages of love and support. They're excited to be able to watch all 42 teams row into Antigua and are wishing them fair winds and following seas."
The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge extreme endurance event is an annual challenge that sees competitors row more than 3,000 miles, travelling west from San Sebastian in La Gomera, Canary Islands, to Nelson's Dockyard English Harbour, in Antigua and Barbuda.
Military personnel and veterans are among the 43 teams who have entered the race, including HMS Oardacious, a team of Royal Navy submariners and Team Atlantic Guardsmen, who are officers and soldiers serving with the Scots Guards.
The Spanish team, Ocean Cats are currently in 1st place, with the British This Way Up boat behind them in 2nd.
Team Atlantic Guardsmen are in 13th place overall and in 12th place in the men's class.
Atlantic Guardsmen reached the halfway point of the challenge on New Year's Day, despite losing their oars when their boat capsized after also being hit by a wave.
As of Wednesday, HMS Oardacious had rowed more than any other team in a 24-hour period this week as they close in on the finish line.
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