Latitude 35 has won the Great Pacific Race and destroyed the old record time in the process. Duncan Roy (UK), Angus Collins (UK), Jordan Shuttleworth (UK), and Jason Caldwell (U.S.) rowed the 4,400km from San Francisco to Hawaii in 30 days, 7 hours and 30 minutes.
A satellite image shows Latitude 35 finishing a comfortable distance ahead of its competitors. Photo: Greatpacificrace.com
From the beginning, the team was very clear that it was aiming for a world record. Ultimately, the foursome smashed it, cutting an impressive nine days from the previous best time, set in 2016.
Over the 30 days, the team had to battle 10m waves and 75kph winds. In their boat, American Spirit, they rowed 24 hours a day on a two-hours on, two-hours off, schedule.
Photo: @TeamLatitude35
When the race started on May 31, all teams struggled against onshore winds. Latitude 35 was able to push through and eke out an early lead. Then they caught favourable trade winds that pushed them toward Hawaii and allowed them to extend their lead.
Being the only male crew may have helped them win the race, but it was the wealth of rowing experience that helped them smash the record. Roy and Caldwell have both rowed across the Atlantic twice, and Collins has rowed across the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans.
Photo: @TeamLatitude35
Collins is the youngest man to have rowed the Indian, Atlantic, and Pacific, and the only man to hold world records rowing all three oceans.
Collins’ sister, Bella Collins, is also competing in the Great Pacific Race. She is part of the crew Ocean Sheroes. With just 650km to go, they are on track to finish the race in second place and to break the record for a female crew.
