Bryce Carlson sets record for fastest solo west-east row across the North Atlantic

World
Europe

01:03

Cincinnati schoolteacher Bryce Carlson set the record for the fastest solo unsupported west-east row across the North Atlantic ocean on Saturday, August 4. He also became the first US citizen to complete the feat.

The 37-year-old landed at the port of St Mary's in the Scilly Isles, off the coast of southwest England, some 38 days six hours and 49 minutes after he set off from St John's in Newfoundland.

The previous record for the solo west-east crossing was 53 days eight hours and 26 minutes set by Canadian Laval St. Germain in 2016, according to the Ocean Rowing Society.

St Germain rowed a slightly longer route from Halifax, Nova Scotia, to Brest in France. The American rowed some 2,300 nautical miles through major storms and more than a dozen capsizes.

Carlson's 20-foot boat 'Lucille' was equipped with plenty of technology and electronic equipment to help keep him on a relatively straight course and fully informed about weather conditions. Carlson, who has a PhD in biological anthropology and a history of endurance feats including ultramarathons, rowed for about 12 hours a day, generally from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., with rests and meal breaks.