Neil's race across the Atlantic

On January 4th, 2010 at 5.30am I started one of the biggest challenges so far. With colleagues from around the world I rowed across the Atlantic Ocean, trying to beat the record of 33 days from the Canaries to Antigua in the Caribbean, which was set in 1997.
Due to terrible weather conditions and hurricane warnings we altered our course to Barbados.
There was no guarantee of success - it is an ocean and if there were a guarantee there would be no challenge, nothing to overcome. This is about cutting-edge technology combined with core values of hard work, detailed planning, team work, loyalty and commitment in achieving our goal
We did not make our world record, due to weather conditions, which play such a huge part in any extreme outdoor activity. We were however the first 12 man boat and the fastest mixed crew crossing ever, also the fastest crossing this year. It was a great experience for me and gave good insight into equipment, the boat and the team so we will come back stronger for NEXT TIME!!

Britannia III about 2 hours out from Port St Charles Barbados... Nearly there!

It was surreal arriving near the port, we had so much support, lots of boats coming out to see us and encourage us on our last few miles!! They were all struck by just how small our boat looked.

Being showered in champagne as we arrived in Port St Charles - all our friends and famiies waiting tearfully for us.
We stepped off the boat and walked around zig zagging with bent knees and hunched shoulders! nearly 40 days since we had last set foot on land!
I am on the right back seat.

Team photo, fresh off the boat we had our picture taken, all of us exhausted but relieved and happy.

All our friends, families and supporters gave us an amazing welcome as we rowed in..