Epic journeys as gig rowers from round the world fight to become World Champions

The world's biggest rowing event is underway on the Isles of Scilly.

More than 150 boats are taking part in the World Pilot Gig Championships - the biggest in its 27 year history. Three thousand rowers straining every muscle to try to beat their rivals.

This year it has a truly international flavour - although many of the entrants are from the UK, there are teams from the USA, Holland and - for the first -time Bermuda.

The team had never see other gig racers before:

It was an epic journey by air and sea - with three flights and ferry needed to get them to the islands.

And the Bermudans are the only ones with a tough journey home ahead of them.

The Dutch are regularly visitors, with seven boats entered for 2016. They took more than 12 hours to complete the 1000km journey.

The finals will be held on Sunday 1 May - and the world champions will be decided.