Keep going! Chances of world record slipping from Jersey rowers

Tuesday 06 February 2024

Islanders are throwing their support behind the four-woman crew from Jersey rowing across the Atlantic as they reach “breaking point” – with their chances of covering the final 35 miles unassisted slipping away.

Hopes that the Intrepid 232 crew – made up of Julie Brady, Helene Monpetit, Rosemary Satchwell and Alison Smithurst – would reach their destination today have once again been dashed.

There are less than 40 nautical miles remaining between them and the shores of the Caribbean, but last night they were once again forced to deploy their "para-anchor" to avoid being dragged too far north.

This means that they are currently doing only 0.2 knots.

The world record that they have been chasing for nearly 2,600 nautical miles – to be the oldest female crew to row any ocean – could now be in jeopardy.

The crew can only claim that title if they make it across the finish line unassisted.

If they require a tow, then they will have been assisted in the crossing and will not get the world record.

A spokesperson for the team, writing on social media yesterday evening, said: "The team are at breaking point – totally spent up, and running on fumes.

"Yet they are being asked to fight. Fight to get west, fight to make land, fight to cross the finish line as world record holders."

Writing this morning, the spokesperson said the para-anchor position "give[s] the team little time to think, a little time to recover... and perhaps they can have one last try and getting across to the island before needing to accept the ever-increasing likelihood of a tow."

Currently, the team are estimated to finish in the early hours of Wednesday morning – but that could change.

The team's fundraising page can be found here, while more details on the race, including a tracker for the team's latest position, can be found online at worldstoughestrow.com.