Team V3nture on finding 'magic' outside comfort zone on the World's Toughest Row

A team of British Army officers who became the first serving military trio to complete the World's Toughest Row have opened up about the mental shift crossing the Atlantic Ocean has had on them.

Team V3nture completed the gruelling 3,000-mile (4,800km) row from San Sebastián de La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Antigua in 40 days.

The team that arrived at Nelson's Dockyard were bearded, with aches and pains, weather-beaten skin and a complete shift in mental attitude.

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The trio comprised Captain Rob Cross from 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, Captain Charlie Newman of 7 Para Royal Horse Artillery and Captain Rob Treasure from 1st Battalion The Rifles, based in Cyprus.

The officers shared before and after pictures of themselves on social media, looking more self-assured in the second photo after having crossed the Atlantic Ocean unsupported.

Team V3nture's Instagram post said that the expedition had brought an "incredibly positive change to those men," explaining that it had "taken them to a place that was well outside of their comfort zone at times... but perhaps that is where the magic lives".

The team's post continued: "Existing outside of your comfort zone is where the most incredible lessons are learnt, the mind becomes sharper, clearer – and the mindset is broadened.

It added that the "incredible expedition" may also have brought about "incredibly positive change" to the trio.

The men challenged themselves to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support in memory of Capt Treasure's father who died in 2021.

Macmillan will receive 70% of the cash raised and the remainder will be donated to various military charities, including the Regimental Charities of the Welsh Guards, The Rifles and the Royal Artillery.

The team are currently 60% of the way to their final goal of raising £140,000. Donations can be made here.

Meanwhile, the other three military teams taking part in the race are almost at the end of their gruelling journey.

The all-women's Royal Navy ocean rowing team, HMS Oardacious Valkyries are set to arrive in Antigua on Monday.

Another all-women team is Force Atlantic who are slightly ahead in the race and set to finish second in the all-women category.

Finally, Oarsome Army Educators are closest of all three to the finish line and are 14th in All Boats, 9th in the Four and 3rd in Mixed Class.