Navy News
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All-women Royal Navy rowers finish Atlantic race
27 January 2025
After three thousand miles and 46 days, the all-female rowing team HMS Oardacious the Valkyries have finished the World’s Toughest Row.
They were elated to reach the finish line of Nelson’s Dockyard in Antigua after setting off on the other side of the Atlantic before Christmas.
The Royal Navy rowers of 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) crossed the Atlantic in 46 days, 12 hours and 26 minutes.
Families and loved ones of the Valkyries cheered them on as they came in sight after a gruelling month and a half battling blisters, aches, lack of sleep and exhaustion from rowing two hours on and two hours off.
With lit flares and cheers coming from the crowd gathered at Fort Berkley, the women stepped off the boat together and onto land for the first time in weeks.
This is the fourth HMS Oardacious team that has successfully completed the World’s Toughest Race but it is the first ever all women’s Royal Navy team.
They are fundraising for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity and the Young Women’s Trust which encourages women into traditionally under-represented environments such as STEM, both in and out of the Royal Navy.
Izzy, Aaby, Ali and Nic brought a wide range of skills, knowledge and drive to complete the race, which set off from the Canary Islands in December.
Along the way, the rowers saw dolphins, bioluminescence and a meteor shower which helped keep spirits up. A particular moral boost for the team was their ‘treat Tuesday’ where each team member had pre-packed a treat, which ranged from foodie treats to spa face masks.
Speaking after stepping off the boat, named “Captain Jim” in loving memory of Royal Navy Captain Jim Simpson who died in 2020, Ali said: “It tests you in ways you never thought you’d be tested. It is absolutely incredible to be here today.”