A Redruth woman and her crew mates were jubilant winners of an Atlantic rowing challenge after battling physical and mental exhaustion, salt sores and 20ft waves.
One Ocean Crew, a team of women in their 30s, carried off the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge female class trophy despite never rowing as a team before and a training regime limited by pandemic restrictions.
Cornwall wilderness expedition guide Erin Bastian, 32, and friends corporate investigator Janette Potgieter, 39, from North Greenwich, landscape architect Emily Woodason, 35, from Catford and Buckinghamshire physiotherapist Jen Cullom, 32, completed the race in an impressive 40 days and four hours.
Taking it in turn to row as pairs, they overcame sleep deprivation, swollen knees and fingers and many tearful moments out on the open ocean.
The team, who met last spring when Skipper Jen put out a call online for adventure-seekers to join her, set off from the Canary Island of La Gomera on December 12 and are currently recuperating at their finish point Antigua.
The crew explained how the journey had its highs and lows along the way including Christmas hundreds of miles from land and ringing in the New Year under a starry sky.
All suffered inflamed finger joints causing painful ‘claw hand’ after long hours gripping oars.
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The crew also described several scary moments too, such as being hit by flying fish at night and having to take it in turns to get in the water and clean barnacles off the boat, despite the frequent sight of sharks without another vessel for miles around.
Their mission was not only to win the female class, but to raise awareness of ocean protection.
Their eco-boat is now being sold to raise money for the Sea Ranger Service which is dedicated to restoring ocean biodiversity while training young people for a maritime career.
Erin Bastian, from Redruth, was the crew’s navigation lead and has completed many kayak expeditions including circumnavigating Menorca in a kayak and has paddled across the Aegean Sea.
Describing the crossing of the Atlantic, Erin said: "Conditions were often slow and relentless, no trade winds to get behind us.
"Then came windy days with big seas and 20ft waves crashing the boat threatening capsize.
"We saw Mother Nature at its most dramatic and beautiful.
"Sadly, we did see a lot of plastic and when we return to the UK we will keep campaigning for ocean protection."
A professional film-maker friend is currently charting their adventure and the girls plan to sell tickets to a special charity screening in the spring.
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