Santa hats for Atlantic rowers for Christmas

Participants in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge wore Santa hats to celebrate Christmas as they spent the festive season crossing the Atlantic.

Teams compete in the world's toughest rowing race, completing a 3,000-mile journey from the Canary Islands to Antigua – spending up to 90 days at sea.

According to the organizers, around 55 rowers from all over the world are taking part in the strenuous race under strict coronavirus protocols.

Solo rower Frank Rothwell, 70, who hopes to raise £1 million for Alzheimer's Research UK, was one of those wearing a red Santa hat during the challenge.

Generation Gap, a team from the UK, plans to celebrate the holidays with their own Christmas party, where “Mariah (Carey) will race across the ocean in the hopes of luring some dolphins for a Christmas swim.”

The four-strong team is raising money for the charities Women's Aid, The Royal Marines Charity, Mind and Rural Assistance Nepal.

Meanwhile, the Bristol Gulls, who are working to raise awareness of plastic pollution and prevent drowning, said they were “lucky” to eat home-made Christmas cake and talk to their families back home.

“Although eating macaroni and cheese with a spork is certainly not a traditional Christmas meal, this one will stay in our memories forever,” said the team.