Sam Glover of Lynmouth, the only rower in the race from Devon, was the first solo rower to complete the World’s Toughest Row across the Atlantic, writes Hilary Bastone.

Glover completed the Ocean epic aboard ‘The Entrepreneur Ship’ in 42 days, 3 hours and 15 minutes.

Thirty-eight ocean rowing boats with 98 ocean rowers representing 10 nations set out from San Sebastian de La Gomera on December 13 to race 3000 miles unsupported rowing across the Atlantic Ocean west from San Sebastian in La Gomera, Canary Islands (280N 180W) to Nelson’s Dockyard in English Harbour, Antigua & Barbuda (170N 610W).

Glover had very high seas and big swells to contend with on arrival, making the entrance into English Harbour extremely difficult to say the least! This was not helped by the fact that Sam had to manually steer in between oar strokes.

Throughout the race, Sam has used several auto-tillers and was down to the last one - a combination of damaged tillers put together making one workable one! This failed just a few days before the finish line, which meant that he had to put every ounce of power that was left within him into those last remaining oar strokes to make sure he crossed the finish line unassisted, resulting in him being announced as the winner of the Solo Class.

Right from the start, Sam has had an incredible energy and ‘can do’ attitude, starting all calls between himself and the Safety Officers with a “I AM LOVING IT!”.

Sam was originally signed up as a pairs team with his rowing partner Jake, but due to unforeseen circumstances, it meant he had to do it as a solo. When asked what it meant to suddenly be on your own, he said: “You need to be disciplined and it was a very special experience. The last five days have been incredibly emotional.

“Suddenly, all these emotions came out, and I just had to look at the sea and the beauty and the power and the textures and the thing that you’re doing. I mean, how nuts are we? I mean, this is insane. It’s just beautiful. It’s incredible.”

Sam has been raising money and awareness for UnLtd - The Foundation for Social Entrepreneurs and has to-date raised more than £55k.