ALL FEMALE BRITISH ROWING TEAM SET TO BREAK PACIFIC RECORDS WITH IMMINENT ARRIVAL INTO CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA

BREAKING NEWS:

ALL FEMALE BRITISH ROWING TEAM SET TO BREAK PACIFIC RECORDS WITH IMMINENT ARRIVAL INTO CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA AFTER 8,446 MILE JOURNEY AND 10 MONTHS AT SEA.

Thursday 21st January 2016: After spending 10 months at sea all female British rowing team The Coxless Crew are set to break records with their arrival into Cairns, Australia, as the first ever female team AND the first ever team in a four-person boat to row the Pacific.

The grueling 8,446 miles journey from San Francisco, USA though to Cairns, Australia has not been an easy task, with their adventure seeing the women battle heavy storms, ginormous waves and food rationing, as well as encountering flying fish, humpback whales and sharks…all in a 29ft, bright pink rowing boat called Doris.

The Coxless Crew are expected to arrive into Cairns on Friday 22nd January, (weather dependent).

During their time at sea they have recorded one of the most insightful and inspirational daily blogs ever written. Despite huge set-backs, exhaustion and the kind of danger and endurance many of us would never want to experience in our lifetime, the team has persevered.

As part of their meticulous preparation they created a strong set of values that has driven their thinking, behaviour and actions. Without these values becoming central to everything the team did, they simply would not have succeeded. Added to this, they called in expert help for every stage of the journey. This included technical, practical, emotional, navigational and inspirational support, with ambassadors, sponsors, mentors and coaches and the unwavering support of their families.

The women have taken on this challenge of a lifetime in order to raise funds and awareness for two UK charities; Walking With The Wounded and Breast Cancer Care.

Samia al Qadhi, Chief Executive of Breast Cancer Care said:

“I’d like to congratulate the Coxless Crew on their incredible achievement. Rowing the Pacific Ocean in a four-person boat has taken a huge amount of dedication and hard work but every penny they raise for us will make a real difference to the lives of people affected by breast cancer.”

Edward Parker, Co-founder and CEO of Walking With The Wounded added: “What these women have achieved in the past ten months is undoubtedly remarkable. Not only have they broken world records, they have demonstrated that the impossible is possible which resonates to our wounded veterans that despite injuries, they should look to their future with great determination and courage. We are immensely proud of them and the funds raised will provide vulnerable veterans who have had to face adversity and overcome life changing events, independence through employment.”

The Coxless Crew’s Pacific Ocean row is a huge endurance adventure, with 2 hours on the oars and 2 hours off 24 hours a day, testing the team’s mental and physical capabilities to the full. They burn over 5,000 calories a day and endure seasickness and physical and mental exhaustion. During the row the women live by the mantra eat, sleep, row, repeat - all while at the mercy of the world’s largest ocean.

Despite the struggles of the journey, the team remain upbeat and have even made friends along the way – from passing shipping boats to ‘Fernando’ the shark who has bee tracking the boat. Being out in the heat the women have developed rather odd suntan lines as they are always seated to row when outdoors, and have taken to cooking pancakes using the heat of the sun on deck and flipping them with a Coxless Crew postcard!

Central to their achievement has been the power of having a clear plan and professional coaching to help them keep focus, row by row.

Pop superstar Kylie Minogue is Patron of the Coxless Crew’s epic challenge. Speaking recently in a special video message to the women during a particularly rough rowing patch that saw the women battling the nautical doldrums, Kylie said:

“It’s been 10 months at sea which is just mind-blowing. I know you’ve reached a particularly challenging point in your journey, so I want you to know – we want you to know – that we’re right behind you, as are, most importantly, Breast Cancer Care and Walking With The Wounded. They appreciate every last drop of blood, sweat and tears you’re putting into this. Cairns is waiting for you!!

This is certainly a Pacific Crossing of a different kind and you can follow the Coxless Crew journey and progress via a live tracker on their website www.coxlesscrew.com or Facebook/Twitter Page and share in the highs and lows of their arduous and epic expedition.

The Coxless Crew are supported by a number of generous sponsors, without which their journey would not have been possible: http://coxlesscrew.com/sponsors/

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

BACKGROUND

The Coxless Crew are a team of women who aim to be the first ever fours team to row the Pacific Ocean. This is a journey of 8,446 miles from San Francisco, USA to Cairns, Australia in a 29ft boat. During this unsupported row they aim to raise funds as well as awareness for their two charities; Walking With The Wounded and Breast Cancer Care.

The vision is to inspire others to reach their potential, push through their boundaries and meet and overcome the challenges that life throws at them.

Emmy Award Winning documentary filmmaker and TV Producer Sarah Moshman is following the women’s journey for a 2016 documentary entitled Losing Sight of Shore.

As well as support from the pop icon Kylie Minogue, sporting greats and adventure legends including Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Sir Steve Redgrave, Chrissie Wellington, Heather Stanning and Naomi Riches already support the team. In collaboration with GSK Human Performance Lab, they will also be doing research on hormonal changes, bone density deterioration and sleep deprivation affecting cognitive behaviour.

TEAM BIOGRAPHIES

Three seats during the row are being held continuously by Natalia Cohen (40), Laura Penhual (32) and Emma Mitchell (30), the fourth space is rowed as a relay with Meg Dyos (25) currently on the oars

Laura Penhaul, 32, from Cornwall originally, now lives and works in London. Laura is the Lead Physiotherapist for British Paralympics Athletics. She is keen marathon runner, cyclist and tri-athlete.

Emma Mitchell, 30, from Marlow in Buckinghamshire. Emma is an Expedition Manager, a keen marathon runner and rower and ex-Cambridge Blue.

Natalia Cohen, 40, is currently based in London. Natalia is an Adventure Tour Leader, Travel Operations Manager and Photographer. She has already crossed a section of the Pacific as part of a crew in a small yacht.

Isabel Burnham, 31, from Saffron Walden, Nr Cambridge. Isabel is a Solicitor, a keen mountaineer, runner, trekker, skier and ex-rower. (1st leg)

Lizanne van Vuuren, 26, South African, grew up in Newbury, UK. Lizanne moved to Cape Town four years ago where she practices as an Osteopath. She is a keen swimmer, runner and cyclist or generally anything done outdoors. (2nd leg)

Meg Dyos, 25, lives in and works in London. She is an English Literature graduate, and currently an Estate Agent. She is a hummus connoisseur, lover of cycling, yoga and life. (3rd leg)

MEDIA ENQUIRES:

The women are available for interview via satellite phone on board ‘Doris’ the boat, alongside press activity upon arrival in Cairns and their homecoming to the UK in early February.

For all enquiries please contact:

New Level Results + 44 (0)7917 125615

Andrew Duncan – andrew.duncan@newlevelresults.co.uk


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