Kate breaks world record as she lands in Barbados!
Kate Richardson.
PORTADOWN girl Kate Richardson has become the first woman from Ireland to row across the Atlantic Ocean.
The 22-year-old was among a five-woman crew to row across the ocean in the fastest time ever recorded.
The University of Ulster graduate was joined by Julia Immonen, Debbie Beadle, Helen Leigh and Katie Pattison-Hart.
The five women, who started in La Gomera in the Canary Islands 45 days ago, arrived in Barbados at 05:13GMT on Saturday.
They came fifth overall in the Atlantic Challenge, a journey described on its website as “the world’s toughest rowing race”.
This was despite leaving nearly two days after the other 16 boats taking part in the race.
The 3,000 mile trip was in aid of Row for Freedom, an initiative set up by team member Julia Immonen, in order to raise £1m to help human trafficking victims.
Kate, who agreed to take part despite having no rowing experience, said she was proud of the crew’s achievement.
“We’re absolutely delighted with what we’ve achieved and the final few hours as we rowed into Barbados were particularly emotional,” she said.
“The Atlantic crossing takes place every two years and, in terms of the number of boats retiring, this has been the toughest since 1995 so we’re really pleased to have got here safely and well inside the previous record time.”
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Weather for Portadown
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 8 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South east
