Ocean Angels set for race record

adventure#topic

A group of four British women, who call themselves the Ocean Angels, are aiming to become the first females to cross the Indian Ocean in a rowing boat.

The women, competing in the Woodvale Indian Ocean Race 2009, started off from Geraldton, Western Australia, on April 19 and are expected to reach the finishing line in Port Louis, Mauritius within a day.

The Angels hope to take the second place in the competition which has already been won by a male British team.

They hope to raise £50,000 for Breast Cancer Care by completing the epic 3,450 mile journey.

The team comprises cancer survivor Fiona Waller, 34, from south London, Sarah Duff, 25, from Oxfordshire, Elin Davies, 32, from North Wales and Jo Jackson, 28, from East Sussex.

For the gruelling 73 days of their journey so far, the women have rowed their 29ft Pura Vida boat in pairs for two hours on, two hours off.

Speaking from the boat, Ms Duff said: "We are so excited at the thought of each sleeping in a bed for longer than two hours at a time, eating food that's not in a bag and being able to have a shower every day!"

Copyright © Press Association 2009