Fresh from becoming the first serving military trio to complete the World’s Toughest Row, Captains Rob Cross (WG), Charlie Newman (RHA) and Rob Treasure (Rifles) – known collectively as Team V3nture – are back on home soil and reflecting on the voyage of a lifetime.
Here, Capt Cross (pictured left) tells Soldier about the highs and lows of the gruelling 3,000-mile race…
Not really – we’re still digesting it, looking through all the photos and videos we took and listening to the voice notes we recorded.
Seeing pods of dolphins and getting to know two guys I thought I knew really well, even better – it’s rare in life you get that chance.
Getting pinned by the wind in the first couple of weeks and being at the mercy of nature with waves crashing over you in the night.
We were all sick once in the first week but fortunately we adapted quickly after that.
We are similar people in terms of military background and fitness, but we all have different approaches to problem solving, which is a huge strength. Three is also good for a democracy!
No. Our goals were to finish as really good mates and raise as much money as possible for our chosen charities – but we got caught up in the competition and are delighted to have won.
By listening to Harry Potter audiobooks, the Tailenders podcast, electronic dance music and the Red Hot Chilli Pipers. Whoever had been on the oars longest got to choose the playlist.
A combined total of 22kg.
What the human body is capable of! I have been amazed. I didn’t think we could go for 40 days on less than two hours’ sleep at a time.
40 days, 17 hr, 40 min
The time taken to complete the crossing from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Antigua in the eastern Caribbean
£190k
The team’s current fundraising total for regimental charities and MacMillan Cancer Support in memory of Capt Treasure’s father, who died in 2021.
To help them reach their £200,000 goal visit justgiving.com/fundraising/macmillanv3
