Final arrivals in the world's toughest row

The World’s Toughest Row has seen the arrival in Antigua of the tail-end crews. Last over the finish line were ‘For Better Oar Worse’

Husband and wife, Mark and Dani Jones, onboard their boat ‘COSIMO’, finished their 3,000 mile crossing in a time of 73 days, 12 hours and 3 minutes coming the 37th boat overall and also putting a close to the 2023/24 edition of the World’s Toughest Row.

Inspired by Dani’s father, Ian Davies, who first rowed in 2019 (and again this year with team Never2Late), Mark and Dani decided to sign up and make the crossing a family affair. Talks around the family table will for sure include the Atlantic Ocean for a while.

The last arrival always adds an element of additional nerves and excitement at the dockyard, but nothing can top seeing the eyes of the couple’s two children who had been patiently waiting for this day. Incredible emotional scenes took place inside the arrival area, with a beautiful sunset as the backdrop.

When asked about the biggest challenges out there, Mark said: “Biggest challenge was just being at the complete mercy of the elements. There is nothing you can do to beat the sea.

“There is nothing you can do to change the weather. You just have to keep going as best you can and if you can do that, get through the hard times, it is so rewarding when you finally get here; the finish, the welcome, it has just been so fantastic!”

Dani added: “It was amazing to be reunited with my babies. A relief to be on land and to know that I have crossed the ocean with my best friend, my husband, my life partner. I could not think of anyone better I could do it with.”

The rowing race saw thirty-eight ocean rowing boats with 98 ocean rowers representing 10 nations set out on December 13 to race 3000 miles unsupported rowing across the Atlantic Ocean west from San Sebastian in La Gomera, Canary Islands (280N 180W) to Nelson’s Dockyard in English Harbour, Antigua & Barbuda (170N 610W). The 38 competing crews were 11 solos, 8 pairs, 6 trios, 12 fours and 1 five.

HMS Oardacious were first to arrive on January 17 having rowed across the Atlantic in 35 days, 4 hours and 30 minutes. Sam Glover of Lynmouth, the only rower in the race from Devon, arrived on January 25. He was the first solo rower to arrive having rowed across the Atlantic aboard ‘The Entrepreneur Ship’ in 42 days, 3 hours and 15 minutes.

The race was not without tragedy. On January 4, the organisers announced: “It is with heartfelt sadness that we must convey the news of the death of Alisdair Putt – Skipper of the four- person team, Aussie Old Salts. Alisdair suffered what is believed to be a cardiac related event whilst on deck. Despite the rest of the crew’s continuous efforts, resuscitation was not successful.”

A container ship en-route to Norway rescued the crew.