They made it! At around 2.45am this morning (Friday) there were screams of joy from the shoreline in Antigua as Xavier Baker, Paul Berry and Chris (Manni) Mannion, of the Mermaid Atlantic crew, made their way to the finish line of the World’s Toughest Row.
43 days, 17 hours and 58 minutes after setting off from La Gomera in the Canary Islands and crossing the Atlantic Ocean in a Rannoch 45 rowing boat, the Isle of Wight trio of friends stepped onto dry land to an ecstatic welcome from family members.
16th place in the race
Looking slightly shell shocked (but relieved) at having reached dry land, and definitely a bit wobbly on their feet (not surprising after 43 days at sea), after a quick embrace with family members the lads were taken to the podium for a short interview with the Race Director.
The three left the Island in November 2023 as ocean lovers – raising more than £16,500 for charities protecting our oceans.
Baker: Still ocean lovers
They crew were asked whether by the Race Director whether, after 43 days at sea, they were still ocean lovers.
Xav replied,
“Yeah, 100 per cent. We’ve experienced a lot out there, Mother Nature threw us a fair old bit, but between us all we overcame it, the highs and lows and are still ocean lovers, 100 per cent!”
Many challenges along the way
Paul went on to explain the challenge of losing the daggerboard (which helps balance the boat) two days into journey, whist Manni (Chris) told the story of the near miss with a tanker, which was around 30 metres away from the boat and not responding on the radio.
The 300 metre long tanker eventually caught sight of the emergency flare and was able to swerve out of the way, narrowly missing the rowers.
Baker: The last 24 hours has been brutal
Xav went on to explain how difficult the last 24 hours had been,
“It’s been brutal, we thought the trade winds had finally come in and would take us a nice and easy into here, but it threw everything at us. The last 24 hours has been brutal, but we loved it, and we’re here.”
He added that the wind were 24/26 with 4-5 metre swells. Just imagine sitting in the boat and having a wave heading for you the height of a small home!
Berry: The goal posts were moved every single day
The Race Director asked whether the race lived up to its name, Paul replied,
“It most definitely does. I totally underestimated what I was getting myself into and I think the other guys did as well.
“We had a battle and the goal posts were moved, literally every single day and it definitely lived up to its name.”
Mannion: Terrifying, but amazing
Manni spoke about the wildlife they’d encountered on the ocean, including Minke Whales, a Shark, and a bird called Wilson’s Storm Petrel, that Manni believed had been following them the entire journey.
He was also able to use his underwater camera to film a Dorado and a Tuna being stalked by the Marlin, which he said was terrifying, but amazing.
Watch the video
You can watch the lads arrive in Antigua, see the interview with the Race Director, as well as another short one by visiting the World’s Toughest Row YouTube channel (click on the link to watch).
Huge congratulations Xav, Paul and Manni, the Island are in awe of your amazing feat and so incredibly proud of your achievement. Hopefully you’ll have some R&R time in Antigua with your families, before heading home to share all your crazy stories.
We love you all!
It’s not too late to donate
The lads took on the challenge to raise awareness for the need to protect our oceans and the marine life that lives in it.
They are raising money for three vital charities, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust,Surfers Against Sewage and The Seahorse Trust.
Show your support by donating via the GiveWheel website.
