It’s fantastic, says Atlantic Angel

8:58am Thursday 20th December 2007

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A 17-year-old girl who is rowing the Atlantic has spoken of her adventure.

Bolton School pupil Rachel Flanders is the youngest member of a four-woman crew, the Atlantic Angels, who are taking part in the Woodvale Atlantic Rowing Race from the island of La Gomera in the Canaries to Antigua.

Rachel, from Heaton, said: "It's been fantastic so far. There were big waves in the first couple of nights, which were scary.

"But the sea is calm at the moment and the stars are out at night, which is lovely to look at."

She said the rowers had blisters, made worse by the salt water, but were keeping their spirits up by singing carols. They have njoyed seeing whales, dolphins and turtles during their trip.

The Angels set off on December 3 and are hoping to arrive in English Harbour, Antigua, by January 31, which would knock seven days off the all-female record, which stands at 67 days, seven hours and 20 minutes. They have covered 457 nautical miles and have about 2,150 to go.

The team is trying to raise £250,000 for three cancer charities. To sponsor them visit www.atlantic-angels.co.uk and click on "getting involved".