7 Jul 2009
‘Ocean Angels are first all female crew to row the Indian Ocean'
4 ordinary women, 1 extraordinary race
4 British women, the Ocean Angels, have become the first all female crew to row 3720
miles across the Indian Ocean from Australia to Mauritius. Rowing for approximately 79 days
it has been a grueling test of their determination to succeed in the first ever
Indian Ocean Rowing Race. They are raising money for Breast Cancer Care, the
charity that supports people living with breast cancer.
The foursome is made up of: Fiona Waller, a photographer [and cancer survivor]
(34); Sarah Duff a consumer researcher (26), and Elin Haf Davies a nurse (32)
who all rowed the Atlantic in 2007, and also first timer Jo Jackson (28) who
had never set foot in a rowing boat or been to sea until signing up for this
enormous challenge!
The Ocean Angels started their epic journey from Geraldton, Western Australia
on 19th April 2009 and have been rowing ever since. They’re the only
all female competitors, in what is heralded,
as the world's toughest rowing race. The race was won by ‘Bexhill Trust
Challenger’ (all male four) on Friday 26th June who took 68 days to
complete the race.
On finishing the race Fiona Waller, skipper says:-
“I can't believe we've finally made it - the first all female crew to row across the Indian Ocean. To say it's been tough is an understatement but what an adventure. We have seen the best and the worst of the Indian Ocean. 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 just after my 30th birthday so I have seen the impact this disease can have. We'd like to thank all our supporters and sponsors for helping us all the way to the end”.
The girls have had to be totally self sufficient on their 29 foot rowing boat, rowing in pairs for 2 hours and resting for 2 hours all day every day. They ate dehydrated rations and made their water using a solar powered de-salinator - dealing with numerous breakages, power problems, flooding, and steering issues. They have also been pushed backwards at times due to the extreme weather conditions in which they found themselves. Despite these set-backs and other physical discomforts such as salt water sores, the Ocean Angels battled on to finish the race and take their place in history.
The 4 girls hope that their supporters will help them raise £50,000 for Breast Cancer Care after their epic voyage. If you want to support the girls donate on their Justgiving website www.justgiving.com/oceanangels. All of the links can be found on our website www.oceanangels.co.uk
Also, you can still put 'your face on the boat' as the girls are planning a huge wall of faces at the fundraiser / celebration they are hosting in October when they get back. Go to http://www2.faceboat.org/ to donate your ‘mugshot’ and your money!
The Ocean Angels would like to thank the luxury 'Merville Beach' resort for ensuring the girls have a good first nights sleep in Mauritius - in a deluxe stonewall, thatched roof cottage set in tropical gardens by the sandy beach. Thank you!
END.
Notes to Editor:
· PR Manager is Amy Green on 07775 950 625 or greenamy@hotmail.com
· For more info and the girl’s blog please visit www.oceanangels.co.uk
· For photos please email greenamy@hotmail.com
· Information about Breast Cancer Care can be found at www.breastcancercare.org.uk
Facts & Stats:
The race began in Geraldtown, Western Australia, on 19 April 2009 and finished in Port Louis, Mauritius.
It is organised by Woodvale Challenge (www.woodvale-challenge.com).
The distance rowed is 3,100 nautical miles (3,720 miles) / (6,000 kilometres)
Conditions in the Indian Ocean are extreme with frequent swells of over 50ft, hurricane forces winds,
unrelenting sun and intense heat, sudden and unpredictable weather changes
– and dangerous marine life including sharks.
There was a sailing support boat to act as emergency assistance if needed.
Previously no all female team has ever successfully completed a crossing of the Indian Ocean – The Ocean Angels are the first.
Prior to this race, only two unassisted crossings have been made of the Indian Ocean, the first by
Svedland Anders in 1971 and the second by Britain’s Simon Chalk, in 2002.
Of the 10 boats that set out in April, only 5 are still in the race which is testament to the grueling conditions the rowers have had to face.
The Crew:
Fiona Waller, 34, a photographer,
and cancer survivor; originally from Little Canfield, Essex; went to
school in Cambridge; then University of Bath; lives in Clapham, SW London
Sarah Duff, 26, a consumer researcher,
born and bred in Reading and now lives in Whitchurch Hill near Pangbourne.
Sarah rowed the Atlantic with Fiona in 2007.
Jo Jackson, 28, surveyor,
grew up in East Sussex, then went to Nottingham University, lives in Clapham SW
London
Elin Haf Davies, 32, nurse,
grew up in Parc, Bala, North Wales, now lives in Hackney, London. She did her
BSc/nurse training at Gt Ormond St and South Bank Uni; MSc at City Uni;
currently doing a PhD at UCL.
