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First week complete for Royal Navy rowing team in Atlantic race

HMS Oardacious Valkyries
20 December 2024
Five hundred and forty-five nautical miles down, more than two thousand to go.

But for the sailors of the all-female HMS Oardacious Valkyries team, completing their first week taking part in the World’s Toughest Row was an important milestone.

The team of four set off from the Canary Islands last week and have spent the first few days battling crosswinds, big waves and sea sickness.

Miserable weather conditions meant they had to get stuck in early on to make some headway although a decision to head south meant they avoided the worst of the weather – other race teams who stayed north ended up stuck on Para-Anchor unable to row.

But despite the tough environment, skipper Lieutenant Commander Izzy Rawlinson (Marine Engineer - Submariner), Petty Officer Aaby Aldridge (Survival Equipment Technician), Lieutenant Commander Nic Hall (Warfare Officer) and Lieutenant Commander Ali Aindow (Mine Clearance Diver Officer) are all in good spirits.

Their attitudes and determination will help them through the next 30 or so days as they head to Nelson’s Dockyard in Antigua. The 3,000 mile crossing of the Atlantic is physically and mentally draining with the first week giving the Valkyries a taste of what is to come.

But opening stretch is always seen at one of the hardest milestones of the crossing - bodies have not adjusted to the routine of rowing two hours on and two hours off; combined with sea sickness and getting used to sleeping in a cabin that is rocking around.

They also have blisters forming and general aches and pains that come from rowing 12 hours a day.

But with the race in full swing - HMS Oardacious the Valkyries are currently neck in neck with the Army’s Force Atlantic all women’s team - the blisters are turning into callouses, hands are hardening and the sailors have settled into their routine and working well together.  

With Christmas soon to be celebrated, the team have a week of big swells, big waves and fast easterly winds to compete with as well as the emotional side of being away from loved ones this festive period.

The Valkyries are raising money for two charities - the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity and the Young Women’s Trust.

You can follow the team and their progress on HMS Oardacious’ social media channels. 

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