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Atlantic Ocean 20 July 2016

All-female crew near to Falmouth as their close in on record breaking 3000 ml Atlantic row

Five women are about to enter the world record books after a 3,000 mile journey rowing across the Atlantic. They will become the first ever all-female crew to row the Atlantic from West to East, one of the longest and most difficult routes, leaving from New York last month heading for Falmouth.

Weather conditions permitting, their Rannoch Women's Challenge boat, Liberty, is expected to arrive in Falmouth on or around Wednesday July 27^th

The crew ranges from captain 49-year-old Guin Batten, who won a silver medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, through to 20-year-old oceanographer university student Molly Brown, who will become the youngest woman to have rowed the Atlantic. Also on board are Alex Holt, a water-ski and snow ski instructor, Gilly Mara, one of the fastest ultra-kayakers in the UK who came into the sport after breaking her neck in a climbing accident, and Mary Sutherland, an accomplished offshore sailor and racer with several Fastnet and Atlantic crossings under her belt.

They are all adventurers seeking to push themselves through this extraordinary challenge. "We want to inspire women to try and do things they thought were beyond them. Why? Because you can." 

They're supported on the mainland by many friends and family, and assisted by Charlie Pitcher, whose company, Rannoch Adventures, built and supplied Liberty, their vessel. Charlie is the current world record holder for the fastest crossing of the Atlantic, having rowed it in 35 days in 2013 - East to West.

Family and friends are currently organising a small flotilla to welcome them, but are hoping a surprise greeting from many sea-lovers will also be present, on and off shore. Final details of where they will land in Falmouth and when will be released soon, but you can have an exclusive interview with the captain of the crew or with Charlie Pitcher if there is availability.

They're exploits are updated regularly on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Rannoch-Womens-Challenge-206985789637946/