Ocean Angels (From Boating Cornwall)

Ocean Angels

8:42am Tuesday 7th July 2009

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Four British women, the Ocean Angels, have become the first all female crew to row 3,720 miles across the Indian Ocean from Australia to Mauritius. Rowing for 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 (25), 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 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 June 26 who took 68 days to complete the race. The Ocean Angels have finished in 2nd place ahead of the only other remaining men’s four.

On finishing the race Fiona Waller, skipper said: “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 two 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 four girls hope that their supporters will help them raise £50,000 for Breast Cancer Care after their epic voyage.

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