Three Scottish brothers have set a world record by rowing nonstop across the Pacific Ocean in just 140 days.
Jamie, Ewan, and Lachlan Maclean rowed more than 14,000 kilometres from Peru to Cairns, Australia, arriving on Saturday to cheers, bagpipes, and a much-deserved pizza. They are now the first team ever to complete this enormous journey.
The trip was far from easy. Storms battered their small boat, and at one point, one brother was swept overboard before climbing back to safety. Food supplies ran low, forcing the men to row harder and faster to reach land before running out. Despite the challenges, they pushed on and completed the journey in 139 days, beating the previous record of 160 days set by a Russian rower in 2014.
The brothers’ adventure was not just about breaking records. They raised more than $1.6 million to help bring clean water to 40,000 people in Madagascar through their charity, the Maclean Foundation. They also gained support from famous names like actor Ewan McGregor, actor Mark Wahlberg, and musician Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
When they finally reached shore, more than 50 family members and friends were waiting, including their mother Sheila. The men waved Scottish, Australian, and British flags as they arrived at the Cairns Marina, where they were greeted with hugs, cheers, and the smell of pizza.
The brothers say the journey was the hardest thing they have ever done, filled with moments of joy, fear, and exhaustion. Yet, they also said the experience taught them to appreciate simple things like showers, beds, and even leaning on something that doesn’t move.
