Royal Navy submarine crew wins world’s toughest boat race

A team of Royal Navy submariners arrived in Antigua today after winning the world’s toughest boat race, a 3,000-mile transatlantic race.

After spending 35 days, 4 hours and 30 minutes on a small boat Captain Jim, The five, known collectively as HMS Audacious, were greeted by hundreds of people at Nelson Dockyard in English Harbour. It was the first time she had seen land since leaving the Canary Islands on December 13th.

In Antigua, rowers entered English Harbor shortly before 9 a.m., stood up in their boats and raised red flares to celebrate their victory. It was a traditional event to celebrate the winners of the grueling race, and boats in the harbor honked their horns to show their appreciation.

Minutes later, the Royal Navy men came ashore to collect the winners’ silver trophies, beating 36 other teams to the finish line. They were embraced by their families and had a touching reunion by the water.

Bearded, tanned, ecstatic and tired, captain jim’s Captain Matt Mayne, the captain, said the race was “very, very, very difficult.”

“It’s a really long way. I don’t recommend paddling, but try flying…or cruising,” he joked to the crowd taking part in the experience. “We had a beautiful time. We raced all night in the moonlight in big waves and had a lot of fun. But we also had terrible crosswinds when we weren’t feeling well or felt like we were making no progress at all. At times it felt like it would never end. But overall it was a great experience. It requires a lot of love and sometimes tolerance, but these four are amazing. We are truly We built a bond.”

with him captain jim Commander Dan Seeger (38), also a Marine Engineer Officer, Lieutenant Rob Clark (37), both a Marine Engineer Officer and Medical Services Officer, Petty Officer Ian Allen (39), a Marine Engineer Officer, and Commander Mike Forrester (39), a Marine Engineer Officer. 40). He flew to Antigua to welcome the rowers after being away for more than a month.

their boat captain jim The submarine, named in memory of his former colleague, left La Gomera in the Canary Islands on December 13. Since then, submarine crews have rowed the oars in shifts for two and a half hours, then rested for 90 minutes in small cabins at each end of the ship. boat.

They consume about 5,000 calories each day (the average adult figure is about 2,000 calories) and all suffer from salt burns, blisters, and seasickness. It was necessary to jump into the sea to scrape barnacles from the hull. Ocean growth can slow a boat by up to half a knot, creating significant drag when moving. captain jim It crosses the Atlantic Ocean at a speed of approximately 3.5 knots. At times it was exposed to 20-foot waves, and at times it was in danger of capsizing.

To keep morale up, the rowers connect with their families and the wider world by phone and internet, creating images to express their feelings through participation in Never That Innocence, a charity that encourages young people. He posts videos, videos, and (which became a surprise hit with his followers) poetry. People, especially those from military families, are able to express themselves through art.

Commander Seeger, the team’s poet, expressed his feelings now that the race was over in a poem:

Farewell Atlantic Ocean
It’s true, I won’t lie
If you ask me to row again
It will definitely fly.

This is the third time a submarine team has undertaken the world’s toughest sea route under the flag of HMS Audacious. This has become a major fundraiser for the submarine community (captain jim’s The team has raised £15,000 alone since leaving the Canary Islands and around £70,000 for Royal Navy and Royal Marines charities.

Although they did not break the world record, this quintet set the fastest time of any military member. They were also the first five-person team to win the title (races are usually won by four-person teams due to weight advantage).

The rowers will be joined by His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, Honorary Secretary of the Submarine Service (HMS Audacious raises funds for mental health, wellbeing and resilience projects in the submarine community), and legendary yachtsmen; It was supported by Sir Robin Knox Johnston.