New Zealand firm, Haigh Lyon Lawyers, has helped an all female crew set a new Guinness World Record by becoming the first women to row non-stop around Britain. The Auckland based business was selected as the primary sponsor of the team, named the ‘Haigh Lyon SeaGals,’ after purchasing the winning ticket in an international lottery. The women spent over seven weeks in their 7.3m boat, ‘Go Commando’, and completed their 3,234km journey at Tower Bridge, London on Friday, 23rd July.
'We heard about the world record attempt a few months ago and decided to lend a hand,’ explains Haigh Lyon partner, Don Harrison. ‘As New Zealanders, we could relate to the determined can-do attitude that the girls showed and were keen to get behind their once in a lifetime journey. We were amazed to learn that we had the winning raffle ticket and became their Gold Sponsor. Behind the scenes we also became part of the SeaGals support team, giving them legal advice whenever they needed it. We are very proud to have played a part in such a monumental achievement.’
Belinda Kirk, Royal Navy nurse Laura Thomasson, Beverley Ashton, and former US Marine Angela Madsen were participating in a race called the Virgin GB Row 2010. They were competing against a male team who had to pull out after two weeks due to anchor problems.
Skipper Ms Kirk said it had been ‘hard to keep going’ but they were ‘proud’ of their achievement.
Ms Madsen said it had been a ‘huge test of physical and mental endurance’, while Ms Thomasson said she would spend the two-hour rowing shifts ‘dreaming of a long hot shower, crispy clean cotton sheets on a soft bed and a feast of fresh food’.
The race around Great Britain is sponsored by Virgin. Sir Richard said he was ‘over the moon’ that such ‘brave women’ had won.
The ‘SeaGals’ raised £100,000 ($214,000) for forces charity Help for Heroes.
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