The Crossing

Conquering the Atlantic in the World's Toughest Rowing Race

When James Cracknell and Ben Fogle decided to compete in the Atlantic Rowing Race, they thought they knew what awaited them: nearly 3,000 miles of empty ocean, stormy weather, and colossal physical stress. But their epic journey would become, at times, even more challenging, a living hell that tested every fibre of their being. Forty-seven days later, however, James and Ben were the first to cross the finishing line, overtaking one of the four-man teams in the process and becoming the first British pair ever to win the race.

They had pushed themselves physically, psychologically, and emotionally to the limit, surviving without water rations for two days and even losing the few clothes they had in a freak wave. They also capsized, hallucinated, wept, fought, played games, grew beards, nursed blisters, and rowed 2,930 miles. They will never be the same.

©2006 James Cracknell and Ben Fogle; (P)2007 Hachette Audio