Wednesday, August 11, 2010


  First Women To Row Nonstop Around Britain - The Seagals sets world record

 LONDON, UK -- Belinda Kirk , 35, from Bristol, Royal Navy nurse Laura Thomasson Beverley Ashton Angela Madsen , a wheelchair-bound 50-year-old grandmother and former US marine from Long Beach California spent 51 days at sea in a tiny boat, ending their epic 2,000-mile journey at Tower Bridge in London , setting the world record for the First Women To Row Nonstop Around Britain while raising money for the services’ charity, Help For Heroes .

 Photo: Celebrating with Flares after passing the finish line. ( enlarge photo )

   During that time the Seagals , as they are known were: swamped by huge waves which put the boat’s water maker out of action; almost sunk by a rogue wave that flooded the front cabin, survived storms, navigated some of the most treacherous tides on the planet, almost been mown down by ships, bombed by the RAF and they have run short of food.

   They have been bombed by the RAF after accidentally entering a live firing range and stalked by killer whales.

Sir Richard Branson who sponsored the event by awarding the first-ever Virgin Trophy to the winners, 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.'

   Virgin’s founder and Chairman Sir Richard Branson not only sponsored the event but the Seagals will be the first ever recipients of the Virgin Trophy, which Virgin will award to those who complete extraordinary challenges.

Photo: Bev, Laura, Belinda, and Angela (seated) after being presented with the Virgin Trophy having set a new World Record.   ( enlarge photo )

    When they set out from Tower Bridge in London on June 1, they were taking part in Virgin GB Row 2010 - the world’s toughest rowing race.

   They were racing a team of four men around the British mainland. But when the male team gave up after less than two weeks, the women carried on alone and without any assistance for five more weeks.

Skipper Belinda Kirk , 35, from Bristol said: 'When the men’s team gave up the race at Land’s End we were determined to make it to the finish but not one of imagined we’d be at sea for 51 days. 'With every day of delay it’s been hard to keep going but we did it and we’re so proud of our achievement. I can’t wait to get home and sleep in a bed for more than two hours at a time!'