Teenage Harrogate soldier breaks world record to become the youngest person to row the Atlantic as part of a team

A crew from Harrogate have become the first team from the British Army to row across the Atlantic Ocean.

Since mid December, Force Atlantic have been battling the elements as they took part in the Talisker Whisky Challenge.

The event has been dubbed 'the world's toughest row'. It sees competitors row 3,000 nautical miles from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Antigua in the Caribbean.

Force Atlantic is made up of;

  • Lieutenant Colonel Rich Hall MBE - Team Skipper

  • Captain Chris Hames

  • Private Kian Helm

  • Captain Alex Walsh

If completing the gruelling crossing wasn't achievement enough, the team's journey was record breaking.

Crewmember Private Kian Helm is just 18-years-old, meaning he broke the world record for the youngest person to row the Atlantic Ocean as part of a team.

Force Atlantic as they arrive in Antigua after rowing over 3,000 nautical miles Credit: Atlantic Campaigns

The soldiers completed what has been named 'the world's toughest row' in an impressive time of 37 days, 13 hours and 53 minutes, making them the 9th team to finish the race.