Four British women, dubbed the Ocean Angels, have become the first all-female crew to row more than 3,000 miles in what is considered to be the world’s toughest rowing race.
The foursome, who completed the journey from Australia to Mauritius, is made up of two residents Fiona Waller, 34, and Jo Jackson, 28, both from Wandsworth, as well as Sarah Duff, 25, and Elin Haf Davies, 32.
Ms Jackson had never even set foot in a rowing boat or been to sea until she signed up for the challenge which they hope will raise £50,000 for Breast Cancer Care.
The Angels started their epic journey from Geraldton, Western Australia, on April 19 and finished in Port Louis, Mauritius, on July 6 where a generous hotel owner offered the Angels shelter in ‘a deluxe thatched roof cottage set in tropical gardens’.
Six teams started out in the race, which was eventually won by Bexhill Trust Challenger, an all-male crew, with the Angels finishing in second place taking 79 days to finish the 3,720 mile race.
Conditions were extreme in the Indian Ocean with swells of more than 50ft, hurricane forces winds and dangerous marine life including sharks.
Ms Waller, the Angel’s skipper, said: “I’m really proud of what we’ve achieved both in terms of our world record and also the money we have raised for Breast Cancer Care.
“I saw my mother, Elisabeth, go through and eventually die from breast cancer in 2000. I was also diagnosed with cancer, so I have seen the impact this disease can have.”
To sponsor the Angels visit justgiving.com/oceanangels.
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