It’s one of the supreme challenges — rowing across the Atlantic. Five weeks ago, a crew of eight intrepid men set off from Puerto de Mogan in Gran Canaria on their boat Titan to row 2598 nautical miles to Port St Charles in Barbados! 
They hoped to break the speed record, 33 days set by Sara G in 2011. One of the crew was Scot Andrew Berry (left) from Edinburgh, a member of the RowPorty coastal rowing club.
Sadly, the record eluded them because of adverse weather conditions mid-Atlantic. Nonetheless, their achievement in reaching their goal in 35 days, 13 hours and 50 minutes was remarkable. The project’s website reported that “the crew arrived into Port St Charles last night to the welcoming party at the yacht club. Chicken, fries and salads were the orders from the boat – as well as several cold beers, cokes and fizzy water! A great celebration and the guys are now going to enjoy some R&R with their families and friends.”
A boat called La Mondiale set the original speed record back in 1992. On that occasion, it took 35 days 8 hours and 30 minutes. That record stood for 16 years, broken by the same boat in 2008 when the crew cut two whole days from the trip. Two years ago, two boats went after the record and head-to-head, but setting off from different starting points. The Hallin Marine initially took the record but could only hold on to it for 12 hours before Sara G crossed the line in the current record of 33 days 21 hours and 46 minutes. This is now the target for any team wanting to win what’s become known as the “Blue Riband Trophy”.
More information on the challenge can be found on the mission’s website.