Royal Navy rowing team facing 'fast and furious' conditions during World's Toughest Row

Royal Navy ocean rowing team HMS Oardacious have been braving "fast and furious" conditions as they complete the first week of the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge.

The team are taking part in the World's Toughest Row and have filmed themselves during the race where they faced rough seas and large waves up to 20ft high.

HMS Oardacious are currently 641 nautical miles into the race and are travelling at a speed of 4.1 knots. 

Team member Lieutenant Rob Clarke said: "We're really excited. We’re setting a really good pace in the race so far."

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He said in a recorded message released on X: "[It's Day Six], we have really good conditions, nice strong easterly wind helping to push us along.

"Thank you so much for all your videos of support, before the race and your messages of support, and of course your sponsorship. It's really helping to keep us going."

The footage showed the team making good progress and in high spirits. The conditions were described as "still fast and furious".

On 19 December the team also published a short clip of their journey.

The footage showed three members rowing in both rough and then slightly calmer conditions. However, they were constantly surrounded by large waves.

Each member of the team is expected to row for two hours, rest for two hours and then repeat until the journey is complete.