Scottish Brothers Finish Mammoth Row Across Pacific Ocean After 139 Days

> three Scottish brothers have set a new world record by completing the first and fastest unsupported row across the Pacific Ocean... > The previous record of 159 days had been set in 2014 by Russian rower Fedor Konyukhov.

Um, if they are the first to do it, how can there be a previous record? I guess the Konukhov trip was "supported"? Or not "full"?

I’ve rowed a marathon ( several, actually) on a concept 2. I’d even say I’m pretty suited to long distance rowing, since I usually don’t drink or eat while doing a marathon.

That said, the idea of going much longer than that — like an eight hour shift, or even two four hour shifts in a day, day after day… that’s insane.

And that doesn’t even begin to account for the difference between the erg and ocean rowing. Double insane.

So many practical questions about how this worked. Sleeping, food/water (cooking the fish, seasonings?, did they have stretches where they failed to catch anything), boredom - did they have a radio/podcast library, how much rowing per day, how are the bowels after five months of hardtack and fish, how does your skin handle constant saltwater exposure without showering, etc

Also - I want to see a before photo. They all look pretty slim, but I imagine anyone would after five months of rowing and eating nothing but vitamins and fish.

I am confused. How can they be the first when there is an existing record? So fastest time but not first? An absolutely awe inspiring accomplishment!

For a second I read "row" as in argument rather than boat/oars and my brain went straight to this:

https://spookyscotland.net/benandonner/

Absolutely incredible achievement.

Two English women are close to accomplishing the same feat.

https://www.seasthedayoceanrowing.com/

"You can take all the boys and the girls in the world I wouldn't trade them this morning for my sweet Ocean Cloud I've seen too much of life So the sea is my wife and a sweet Ocean Cloud is a mistress I'm allowed"

Ocean Cloud by Marillion, written about a solo rower who crossed the Atlantic.

I get angry with my siblings too.

Their voices must be very hoarse.

Incredible achievement. I'd love to read a bit about their communications. I noticed their rowboat had a bunch of solar panels on it.

OMG, they made it! My sister knows these guys! They became friends when she was working at an NGO in Madagascar. They also make whiskey.

What a disconnected piece of writing. It's like every paragraph is it's own separate topic, with topics alternating between different paragraphs.

Super cool achievement, regardless.