Race

• This is the inaugural ‘Virgin GB Row 2010′ (aka: ‘Anglo American Boat Race’) – a rowing race circumnavigating Great Britain.
• 2010 miles
• Rowing unaided and non stop.
• We aim to set a World Record to be the FIRST women to row around Britain.
• No women have ever attempted this before.
• We are a mix of British and American crew.
• We have two military women in the crew – a Royal Navy Nurse and a Veteran of the US Marine Corps.
• We are doing it to raise money for Help For Heroes charity.

Track the SeaGals progress

We have planned this trip thoroughly and are confident that we will be in the best possible position to become not only the first women to row around GB, but also set an all-female speed record that will stand for years to come. We have secured the expertise of the British Paralympic team doctor, a personal trainer, a nutritional therapist, and a psychological coach who are all fully committed to ensuring we are physically and mentally in the best possible position at the start of the race.

Our team is made up of 4 women who all believe in fulfilling their potential and pushing themselves to their limits. All crew members have a background in expeditions and ocean, coastal and river rowing, with Angela having rowed across the Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean, and so we have the best possible experience to draw upon. We have therefore learned a huge amount about how to avoid many potential problems as well as how to deal with them should they occur.

BIG THANKS to all those who have left words of encouragement to the SeaGals, keep em coming:

• A proud day for women everywhere! Have just been explaining to my 5 and 6 year old girls just how amazing you all are. Well done.
  Becky Powell on 'THEY'VE DONE IT!!'
• A heroic enterprise, continued despite setbacks from weather and technology. Well done.
  Mike White on 'THEY'VE DONE IT!!'
• whoop whoop whoop well done to all you fab ladies Im sooooo proud of you Laura just wish i couldve seen you come in will give a very large hug soon xxxxxxx
  Julie Pain on 'THEY'VE DONE IT!!'
• There was little doubt, from day, one a Kirk would 'bring home the bacon'! Well done Mum and Dad , Alex and little sis, Genevieve
  maurice kirk on 'The Return to Tower Bridge'
• Congratulation
  festor on 'THEY'VE DONE IT!!'
• "welcome home laura", you gals are something very special to keep going after all that was thrown in your way is amazing !!!! were all so happy for you and so proud love you lots xxxx p.s - just think laur youv made it back just in time for deal regata. xxx
  SHAUN BEGG on 'THEY'VE DONE IT!!'
• Well done to you all! What a fantastic achievement, you really are all amazing! Enjoy your first pint/wine, you've certainly earnt it!! Belinda - huge hugs & congrats, hopefully see you soon for some celebratory drinks! Love Chig xx
  Chig on 'THEY'VE DONE IT!!'
• congratulations to you all and especially my cousin Laura. Really sorry I couldn't make it down to Tower Bridge to see you finish. What a great Achievement , you should all be really proud of yourselves.
  stuart erskine on 'THEY'VE DONE IT!!'
• go go go and row form finish line
  festor on 'Just 24hrs to go...'
• well ladies, goodnight for the last time, I hope you have a very very good night and you prob wont see this til after safely landing but it's been a joy watching you row into the records and lots of lessons learned here in fortitude, stamina and forbearance, you will be my guides in future when times are hard (ie we had no water at home for 24 hours) I just thought - them girls have no water and they are stuck in a boat after 50 days, i can pop round to a mates for a bath !!. So be very proud,not just of your achievement but of the example you have set for women - and blokes which will be another lasting reminder.
  denise on 'Almost running on empty...'
• SeaGals soar with the eagles! Fanf***ingtastic!
  Tim Francis on 'Just 24hrs to go...'
• Girls we all know how hard the last 56 days have been and this last setback must be extra hard to take, but take it you will and with the extra full strength hopes and hearts of many people on shore willing you on, If the amount of times parents and friends log on to see what youre doing could be converted into tail winds, youd have been home weeks ago. Showers, hhugs and proper food awaiting you with your special people, keep rowing, see you in the morning
  denise on 'Just 24hrs to go...'
• Sometimes, you get a bit pissed off that you dont believe in a god as I imagine they come in handy sometimes - and now it would be useful of some benevolent deity (preferable the bearded one shown blowing in the corner of olde mappes, would huff and puff a bit in the right direction and poseidon could shrug his shoulders and send you fleeing home. However perhaps the positive energy that you seem to have infected us all with is bouncing around the UK and speeding you along. denise
  denise on 'Happy Birthday to the Skipper'
• And you can be proud of your father, too, Belinda!!! See him in the House of Lords on March 9, 2010: http://edm1297.info/2010/03/11/tackling-the-serious-oppression-of-hm-subjects/ With best wishes for more and more power to your remarkable nautical elbows, Sabine
  Sabine K McNeill on 'Happy Birthday to the Skipper'
• Hey you are all remarkable. Can't imagine the strength of character, mind and body that you have needed. Laura I have no problem it saying that the next time we see each other the drinks are on your Uncle (Shug obviously!!). Well done to all of you x
  Chris Erskine on 'The last 100miles'
• Dear Seagals, Every few hours I check on your progress, I wow you and exhale lots of air and then I think 'thank goodness I am not on that boat'. You are all exceptional, strong willed and determined members of the female race. I wish I could be there to meet you in London. Good luck for the last few days. We love you!! Jacki Hill-Murphy
  Jacki Hill-Murphy on 'The last 100miles'
• Hi Belinda, Well done for the mammoth feat you and the girls are achieving. We have been following your progress from Dubai, in somewhat different weather than you have been experiencing. I understand how you crave the food you have been missing and will endeavour to send you a Red Cross Parcel with your favourite foods if I can find a way to do it. Don't you miss a bacon buttie like we do? Good Luck to you all and never fear, we will be watching coverage of the finish. Go girls go! Michelle in Dubai
  Michelle Williams on 'a few of my favorite things..'
• Ladies, it's not so far now, tickets are booked by your families, Bev your dad is even venturing to the smoke!! (which may be as incredible as your journey ) Angela I cant imagine how you are rowing with a busted hand ! laura - keep smiling Bel you get to have two birthdays like the queen ! as someone who gets sea sick boarding the ferry, I cannot comprehend this undertaking with quite the glee that you do but an filled with awe - and not a little pride that a cute little girl I used to babysit has done so much and done it so well. Not long now, denise
  denise on 'Happy Birthday to the Skipper'
• Happy Birthday Belinda Hi SeaGals I guess setting a new world record and a first for women will take some beating as birthdays go. it's not far now and I will have to find another bunch of nutters to follow on t'internet !! You are inspiring not just me but women - and men all over the world and not many people can say that. keep going - I know you will denise
  denise on 'Happy Birthday to the Skipper'
• HAAAAAAAPPPPPPPYYYYYYYYY BIRTHDAY !!!!!! Belinda. Well. This IS a novel one. Never to be forgotten. Love Kirsten
  KIRSTEN on 'Happy Birthday to the Skipper'