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Three Scottish Brothers Smash Pacific Rowing Record
Edinburgh natives Ewan, Jamie, and Lachlan Maclean achieved a remarkable feat this weekend, completing a 9,000-mile row across the Pacific Ocean in a record-breaking 130 days, five hours, and 52 minutes. Their grueling journey, which began in Lima, Peru on April 12th, concluded in Cairns, Australia on Saturday.
This impressive time shatters the previous record of 162 days set by Russian solo rower Fyodor Konyukhov in 2014. The brothers originally intended to land in Sydney, but a series of tropical storms, one of which even swept Lachlan overboard (he was thankfully rescued by his brothers), forced them to alter their course.
The Macleans faced numerous challenges throughout their nearly five-month voyage, including seasickness, a malfunctioning water converter, and dwindling food supplies. Despite these hardships, they persevered, fueled by freeze-dried meals (which unfortunately ran out just a day before their arrival) and the occasional freshly caught fish.
A crowd of approximately 100 people, including friends and family, greeted the brothers at the Cairns Marlin Marina with cheers and the stirring sound of bagpipes. “It’s still slightly surreal,” Ewan, 32, commented. “It’s going to take a wee while for our feet to touch the ground.”
Beyond the personal accomplishment, the brothers undertook this epic journey to raise money for clean water projects in Madagascar. They’ve already raised approximately $920,000 and hope to reach their goal of $1.3 million.
“It’s foundational for everything,” explained Lachlan, 26. “You need clean water to live a flourishing life, to bring communities out of poverty.”
He estimates that reaching their fundraising goal will provide clean water to 40,000 people in Madagascar.
This isn’t the first time the Maclean brothers have pushed their limits on the open water. In 2020, they rowed across the Atlantic Ocean in 35 days.