 During their first attempt they had to be rescued |
A team of rowers who battled 60ft waves and stormy weather made British history on Sunday by smashing the 55-day Canada to Europe Atlantic record. The crew of four took just 40 days and 22 hours to cross the finishing line off the Isles of Scilly.
They were Nigel Morris and George Rock both of Ingleby Barwick, Teesside, Rob Munslow of Monmouth, South Wales, and Steve Dawson of Lincolnshire.
The 55-day record was set by Briton Tom McLean in 1987.
The crew of the 29ft craft, Naturally Best, who call themselves the Vivaldi Atlantic 4, were said to be "jubilant" at their achievement.
Their original attempt to beat the record in 2002 stalled halfway through when their boat's rudder broke.
Project spokeswoman, Linda Sears, said: "They are absolutely jubilant. They have fought for every mile.
"They jumped into the ocean and screamed and yelled as soon as they crossed the line.
"They have been through so much horrendous weather, 60ft waves, storms, and the main dangers were other ships."
It took the men 40 days, 22 hours, nine minutes and 30 seconds precisely to complete the 2,110 mile trip.
Cornwall finish
Ms Sears added: "They are just such brave men and so many times during their journey the elements were against them."
The team, who set off from St John's, Newfoundland, on 31 May, are to continue rowing into the Cornish port of Falmouth and are expected to arrive on Tuesday.
The Ocean Rowing Society has also announced that once they arrive they will become the first crew to row the Atlantic from Canada to both mainland Europe and the UK.
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They are just such brave men and so many times during their journey the elements were against them
