Rapturous welcome for Wrekin Rowers after 40 days in Atlantic and marlin attack scare
The Wrekin Rowers have made it back to dry land, receiving a rapturous welcome as they finished their 3,000-mile challenge.
The crew of four from Telford and Wrekin were cheered onto shore by crowds of supporters as they arrived in Antigua after 40 days, 12 hours and 33 minutes on the Atlantic.
The team of Stuart Shepherd and Martin Skehan, together with brothers Gary and Stuart Richards, left the Canary Islands on December 12.
They concluded their journey – which included the drama of seeing their boat punctured when hit by a marlin – by rowing into the Antigua bay, guided home by flares, the sounds of air horns and cheers.
As the crew approached the shore the Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge announcer hailed "the most noise we have heard all year so far as these guys are coming in now".
There were huge cheers from a crowd of family and supporters as the crew took their first steps on dry land in more than 40 days.
As they took their place on the podium the team reacted with delight when they learned how much their efforts had raised for charity – more than £104,000 for the Severn Hospice and the RNIB.
