Three Scottish brothers, Jamie, Ewan, and Lachlan Maclean, have achieved a remarkable milestone by setting a new world record for the fastest human-powered crossing of the Pacific Ocean. After nearly 140 days at sea, they arrived in Cairns, Australia, on March 30, 2024, completing an arduous journey of over 14,000 kilometers from Peru.
The Maclean brothers undertook this extraordinary challenge unsupported and rowed continuously, employing a rotating shift system to maintain their pace. They reached their destination, Cairns Marlin Marina, just before midday, where they were welcomed by friends and family, celebrating their achievement with bagpipes, freshly baked pizza, and cold beer.
Lachlan Maclean reflected on their journey, stating, “It’s been really amazing at moments, but really tough at other moments.” The brothers faced significant challenges, particularly in the last third of their trip, which was marked by severe weather conditions. A violent storm even swept Lachlan overboard, prompting them to adjust their course and delaying their arrival.
Keeping morale high during the grueling journey proved to be one of their greatest challenges. “We’re brothers, we know how to keep each other positive,” Lachlan said, emphasizing the importance of small comforts, like sharing chocolate bars and enjoying hot drinks. He also noted the overwhelming support from the public, with the brothers raising over $1.6 million for clean water projects in Madagascar.
“It’s quite a difficult thing to get your head around in Scotland and the UK, because, you know, we’ve got loads of water,” Lachlan explained. “But it’s foundational for bringing people and communities out of poverty.”
The previous record for the fastest unassisted, nonstop Pacific row was held by Russian solo rower Fyodor Konyukhov, who completed the journey in 160 days in 2014. The Maclean brothers surpassed this by completing their epic crossing in just 139 days, five hours, and 52 minutes, marking a significant achievement in adventure sports.
Their record-breaking journey not only highlights their physical endurance and mental resilience but also underscores the impact of their fundraising efforts, aiming to provide essential resources to those in need.
