Amputee veterans set to make history in Atlantic rowing challenge

The veterans are taking part in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge Credit: Row2Recovery

Four wounded military veterans are set to row their way to a new world record as they near the end of a grueling journey across the Atlantic.

The veterans, who will become the first all-amputee team to complete an unaided ocean crossing, are taking part in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, which lays claim to being the world's toughest rowing race.

Their Row2Recovery team is due to cross the finishing line in Antigua in the Caribbean on Thursday.

A message on the group's Facebook page reminded supporters that very much depends on the elements, but as of Tuesday afternoon they were less than 100 miles away.

  • Who are the veterans?

  • Cayle Royce

Light Dragoon Lance Corporal Cayle Royce Credit: Row2Recovery

The team is led by Light Dragoon Lance Corporal Cayle Royce, MBE.

He served as part of the Brigade Reconnaissance Force in Helmand, Afghanistan in 2012, where he lost both legs and the fingers of his left hand following an IED blast.

Royce, 29, from Devon, is also a veteran of the Row2Recovery race, having taken part as a member of the 2013/14 team.

  • Nigel Rogoff

Former RAF Flight Sergeant Parachute Jump Instructor Nigel Rogoff Credit: Row2Recovery

Former RAF Flight Sergeant Parachute Jump Instructor Nigel Rogoff has lost his leg above the knee.

Rogoff, 56, was injured whilst taking part in a Royal Air Force parachuting display.

  • Paddy Gallagher

Former Irish Guardsman Paddy Gallagher Credit: Row2Recovery

Former Irish Guardsman Paddy Gallagher lost his right leg below the knee in an IED blast in Nad E Ali, Afghanistan in 2009.

Gallagher, 30, lives in Cambridgeshire.

  • Lee Spencer

Royal Marine Colour Sergeant Lee Spencer Credit: Row2Recovery

Serving Royal Marine Colour Sergeant Lee Spencer lost his right leg below the knee after he was hit by debris while saving the life of a civilian motorist who had crashed on the M3 in Surrey.

Lee, 46, is from Yelverton.

The team have endured grueling shifts as they headed across the Atlantic Credit: Row2Recovery
Team leader Cayle Royce has taken part in the challenge once before Credit: Row2Recovery

  • Why is it a big deal?

When they arrive in Antigua, the team will have completed a 3,000 mile journey, rowing unaided across the Atlantic, the first all-amputee team to complete such a challenge.

The team left La Gomera in the Spanish Canary Islands on 20 December last year and have endured tropical storms and grueling shifts with little sleep.

One member of team even reportedly broke his prosthetic leg in the first few weeks of the journey.

  • Imagine 3,000 miles of this:

The team have rowed unaided for 3,000 miles Credit: Row2Recovery

  • What's this in aid of?

Team members are rowing in aid of The British Limbless Ex-Servicemen's Association (Blesma), Help for Heroes and the Endeavour Fund.

  • Is anyone else taking part?

Twenty-six teams were taking part in Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge this year, the majority of them from Britain.

You can track the teams on the challenge website.