Rowers 'smash' fastest world record attempt

Rowers Jack Jarvis, David Bruce, Sam Edwards and Adam Radcliffe return to the UK after a 3,500-mile journey from New York

A rower who travelled across the Atlantic Ocean says he believes he and his team have "smashed" a world record, which is currently being verified.

Royal Marine Sam Edwards, from Plymouth, set off from New York City arriving back into the UK after 56 days at sea.

Mr Edwards, Jack Jarvis, David Bruce and Adam Radcliffe embarked on a 3,500-mile (5,630km) journey, raising more than £100,000 for Head Up, a UK charity aimed at promoting mental health awareness for UK armed forces.

The 33-year old said the four-man team beat the world record for the longest distance rowed in a 24-hour period, adding: "We did 140 nautical miles, we smashed it out the park which we're really, really pleased with."

'Quite exciting'

He said the previous record was 116 nautical miles for the same time frame.

"We're going through the validation part... Hopefully, within the next week or so, we'll have that record," he said.

Mr Edwards said they rowed during Storm Floris, which he said led to encounters with 20ft (6m) waves.

He said waves were breaking over the top of them, which he said made it "infinitely more dangerous".

"You have to keep the boat downwind," he said.

"If you go side on, you're in a lot of trouble."

Mr Edwards said the boat rolled over on day eight after they were struck by a rogue wave.

He said: "On the calm days it's a joy to be rowing. But on the rough days it's definitely tougher.

"We saw 10 whale sightings in total, they were mostly fin whales.

"It was quite exciting."