Team Rowmads has successfully completed an extraordinary unsupported circumnavigation of Great Britain by rowing boat, covering approximately 2,000 miles in one of the world's most demanding endurance challenges.
The team is the first and fastest team of five to complete the GB Row Challenge unsupported, completing the row in 32 days, 30 minutes and 58 seconds. They crossed the finish line underneath Tower Bridge, London, yesterday afternoon (16 July).
Made up of three military doctors, two brothers serving as a trauma surgeon and a firefighter, and a fitness coach, the team battled relentless tides, unpredictable weather, sleep deprivation and physical exhaustion over the course of their journey. Every mile was powered solely by human effort, with no outside assistance or resupply.
L-R: Felix Wood, Sam Gibbons, Marco Capella, Mike Eager and Stefano Capella
Royal Navy trauma and orthopaedic registrar, Stefano Capella, said: "The biggest highlight was seeing just how extraordinary our country is from the water. We had dolphins following the boat, and saw otters, whales and incredible stretches of coastline. Scotland was beautiful, even if the weather did not always let it show its true colours.
"There were some brutally hard moments, like being on the oars at two in the morning for the fifth night in a row, rationing water and dealing with no power. But morale stayed remarkably high because we had such a fantastic team."
The achievement places team Rowmads among an elite group, with fewer than 40 people ever having completed a continuous, unsupported circumnavigation of Great Britain by rowing boat.
The team crossed the finish line, Tower Bridge, London, yesterday afternoon (Thursday 16 July)
Stefano added: "There were rare days when the boat seemed to fly and rowing felt almost like piloting a fighter jet. Those moments were incredibly special. More than anything, though, it was the chance to share the experience with some of my best friends and my twin brother.
"We amazingly never ran out of things to talk about. I think we could probably launch our own Loose Women equivalent. That's what got us through. We had no power in the end. Our speakers died, our radios died as well, so it relied on us to make our own entertainment for quite long periods. It's amazing how you can while away 24 hours on the oars just by talking."
Beyond their sporting achievement, the expedition has made a significant contribution to marine science. Throughout the journey, the crew collected environmental data on microplastic pollution, biodiversity, underwater noise pollution, sea temperature and salinity.
The information will now be analysed by scientists at the University of Portsmouth before being shared through The Crown Estate's Marine Data Exchange , one of the world's largest open-access collections of marine industry data.
The rowers before the race start on Sunday 14 June. L-R: Felix Wood, Marco Capella, Mike Eager, Stef Capella and Sam Gibbons
The research contributes to a growing long-term record of the health of UK coastal waters and will help scientists better understand the effects of human activity on marine ecosystems.
The GB Row Challenge is widely regarded as one of the toughest rowing races in the world. Crews must navigate approximately 2,000 miles around the coastline of Great Britain without external support, relying entirely on their preparation, teamwork and determination to overcome some of the most challenging waters in Europe.
Skipper Mike Eager said: "If anybody reading this is thinking of doing it, I'd say go for it. You wouldn't even be looking at a challenge like this if you weren't the right sort of person in the first place. It's hard, and it takes a huge amount of planning. In many ways, just getting to the start line is probably the hardest part. But it will be an experience like no other, and I don't think you'll ever regret it.
"Coming home has made me appreciate all the simple things you take for granted, like sitting on a sofa, walking more than four metres, sleeping in a proper bed, using a proper toilet and eating with cutlery.
"It was actually quite nice to be taken away from the real world for a while. You don't have to worry about emails or any of the day-to-day distractions. I'm looking forward to getting back to reality and society, but if I'm honest, it's a bit of a double-edged sword. I loved the simplicity of life on the boat."
The team's Guinness World Record is subject to verification by the Ocean Rowing Society. This year's joint headline sponsors are Cleaner Seas Group and Simply Sustainable - two organisations focused on advancing practical solutions to environmental challenges.
