Friday, 20th September 2024

Jersey-based women reaches Antigua after rowing 3000 miles, sets new World Record

Rosemary Satchwell, Alison Smithurst, Helene Monpetit and Julie Brady, onboard their boat "Black Squid", rowed 3000 miles from La Gomera Antigua. The team crossed the line on Friday, February 9, at 5:30 pm local time.

Tuesday, 13th February 2024

Jersey-based women reaches Antigua after rowing 3000 miles, sets new World Record (PC - Facebook)

Jersey-based women set a new World Record as the oldest female of four to row any ocean. Team Intrepid 232 crossed the finish line in the World's Toughest Row in 58 days, 12 hours, and 30 minutes.

Rosemary Satchwell, Alison Smithurst, Helene Monpetit and Julie Brady, onboard their boat "Black Squid", rowed 3000 miles from La Gomera to Antigua. The team crossed the line on Friday, February 9, at 5:30 pm local time.

Although they arrived as this year's 28th boat, they still managed to make the record.

Taking it from 'Yorkshire Rows', the four mothers in a boat, who had a combined age of 188 years and 342 days at the start of the 2015 Atlantic race.

The organisers of the race congratulated the women and remarked, "Our four Jersey women set the new World Record with an average age of 58 years! Adding more than 43 years to the record. Now you might know why their team name was Intrepid 232!"

Notably, they began the journey with a little difficulty, as their RX45 boat got damaged in La Gomera. They somehow managed to fix it in time for the race start and headed off on December 13.

The start of the race brought heavy weather which challenged the entire fleet. It was also said that the team faced arguably some of the most technically difficult weather in the history of the race.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKUrhtzbdX4[/embed]

Throughout the journey, the four women very in a very stressful situation and were confused whether it would be possible to finish the race or not.

When asked about the situation of being stuck outside the island, Rosemary said, "We have worked for 2,5 years to get to this stage, and we weren't going to give it up that easily! We did not want to fail!". Alison added, "Especially in the last ten days, you can't fail at that point, not when you have gone that far!" Well said, and well-done, ladies!"

It is also to be noted that Team Intrepid 232 has raised funds and awareness for the Grace Crocker Foundation and Blue Marine.