KENT NEWS:
A Kingsdown rower and her three colleagues today (Fri, Jul 23) became the first women-only team to row around mainland Britain.
Laura Thomasson, 23, and her team-mates completed their marathon effort when they passed under Tower Bridge at about 10.30am.
The crew set a provisional time of 51 days, 16 hours and 42 minutes.
Their finish was delayed by a day of bad weather and the crew spent the last couple of days anchored off Southend-on-Sea.
Royal Navy medic Laura, who is also a member of the Dover Rowing Club, put herself forward for the challenge after hearing that it was for men only.
She said: “Then I learned a female crew was being put together and I knew I had to be in the boat.”
The four rowers set out in a competition against a male team on Tuesday, June 1, although the competing boat lasted only two weeks before dropping out.
The Seagals continued their way around the coast for another five weeks facing huge waves which damaged the boat, severe storms and treacherous tides.
The trip was also put into doubt when one of the rowers broke her finger setting off a flare to warn a ship they were on a collision course.
However, after avoiding the smash, 50-year-old Angela from California taped up her hand and continued to row.
The full crew of the soon-to-be record-breakers comprises skipper Belinder Kirk, Angela Madsen, Beverly Ashton and Laura Thomasson.
Sir Richard Branson, chairman of the Virgin group, which has sponsored the effort, said: “Go Seagals!
“I knew I was right to back to girls in beating the boys in the first-ever Virgin GB Row and I’m over the moon that such brave women have achieved a world record in such a spectacular fashion.
“This is why we set up the Virgin Trophy – Belinda, Angela, Laura and Beverley have pushed through extreme tiredness, hunger and serious injury to battle on and achieve the goal they set out to achieve.
“Britain has something to be proud of this summer after all.”
Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: “I can only imagine how welcoming and serene the Thames must have seemed for these brave rowers after overcoming the perils of the stormy waters around the coast of Britain.
“This is an extraordinary achievement and I congratulate the team on setting this record.
“I hope their spirit of adventure encourages others to take up sporting challenges as the country aims for success in London 2012.”
POSTED: 23/07/2010 09:50:15
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