HMS Oardacious flying towards possible record in World's Toughest Row
Royal Navy ocean rowing team HMS Oardacious are said to be "smashing it" during their latest attempt at the World's Toughest Row, covering 100 nautical miles in just 24 hours.
HMS Oardacious posted on X, formerly known as Twitter: "It's been no secret that the team have been rowing fast, but last night they went FASTER!"
The team of submariners are doing well on the surface as they compete in the 3,000-mile race from San Sebastian de la Gomera in the Canary Islands to Nelson's Dockyard in Antigua.
They managed to overcome a pre-race challenge when their boat was damaged in transit to the start point, but appear to have wiped away any initial nerves as they race towards the Caribbean
During the race the competitors spend weeks at sea, battling sleep deprivation, salt sores and physical extremes as well as the mighty Atlantic.
The team of Royal Navy submariners have been taking part in Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge since 2019, and said they "found our culture as submariners really harmonised with the extreme environment of the World's Toughest Row".
HMS Oardacious said of the 2019 race: "That first crossing was the start of a legacy that will see Royal Navy personnel champion resilience through adversity, support charities, inspire the public and collaborate with even more fantastic organisations.
"But our campaign has always been about more than rowing oceans - we continue to champion and fundraise for the wellbeing [and] mental health of all Royal Navy personnel, serving and retired, and their families."
HMS Oardacious are not only aiming to win, but to break the records set in previous years.
In last year's event, HMS Oardacious became the fastest military team to take part in the race, completing the distance in 35 days, 17 hours and 19 minutes.
Rowing alongside them were The Atlantic Guardsmen, who completed the challenge in 39 days, two hours and 59 minutes despite capsizing and losing three oars.
The submariners who make up HMS Oardacious - Matthew Main, Daniel Seager, Ian Allan, Michael Forrester and Rob Clarke - are raising money for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity "to show the mental challenge of service", and you can donate here on their JustGiving page.
Will they set an all-time record?
HMS Oardacious' current times over the last few days have some thinking they could break the all-time world record of 29 days.
However, the crew said on X that while times are good, "we're only on day 5. Let's put the banners and flare guns back in the box just for the moment".
And they explained in a thread that in the last 24 hours they had had "very fast conditions... and these are unlikely to remain constant for the whole race".
But they added: "That said, it is shaping up to be a very fast year. HMS Oardacious are absolutely smashing it out there... there is absolutely scope for a new all-time world record here... but time will tell.
"Keep supporting, and we might just see something very, very special happen out here!"
Check out their thread below, where they explain why the times are looking so promising.
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