A team of four rowers co-sponsored by wealth management and professional services group Evelyn Partners have completed a record-breaking Atlantic crossing to become the oldest female crew to row across any ocean.
The Jersey-based team of four mums, including Evelyn Partners’ Head of Compliance in Jersey Rosemary Satchwell, rowed into Nelson’s Dockyard in Antigua at the weekend after 58 days, 12 hours and 30 minutes at sea.
The ‘Intrepid 232’ team, which also included Julie Brady, Alison Smithurst and Helene Monpetit, broke an Ocean Rowing Stats world record by being the oldest female fours crew to ever cross the Atlantic Ocean.
The group rowed unassisted for 3,000 miles as part of the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge 2023, and had a combined age of 232 years 10 months and 2 days old when they set off from San Sebastian in La Gomera, Canary Islands on 13 December 2023. The previous world record holders were collectively 10 years younger.
The women spent two hours rowing then took two hours’ rest – alongside trying to eat, sleep and maintain the boat.
Matt Falla, Managing Partner at Evelyn Partners’ Jersey office, said: “Intrepid 232 crossing the finish line and setting a new record is a simply amazing achievement for Rosemary, Julie, Helene & Alison. The crossing took 58 gruelling days, but the preparation started over three years ago and the determination to finish has been built over a lifetime. It has required a unique personal bond and working in partnership to deliver such a performance. We are incredibly proud of all they have achieved and the inspiration this will give to others.”
Rosemary said: “Having Evelyn Partners on board as a Silver Sponsor made the hardest part of the challenge – getting to the start line – so much easier! It means a lot to me to know my colleagues are behind me and are both interested and care about what we are working towards and ultimately what we have achieved.
“Many years ago my husband suggested that seeing as I was spending so much of my free time rowing it might be a good idea if I would row across the Atlantic and get it out of my system! We want to show also that once you are determined to do something age should not necessarily be a barrier.”
The team follows in the footsteps of Guy Rigby, previously Head of Entrepreneurial Services at Evelyn Partners, and David Murray who competed in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge 2021 and became the oldest pair on planet earth to row any ocean.
The team has raised £12,000 for the Grace Crocker Foundation, set up to support Jersey families who need to spend time in the UK while their children receive hospital treatment.
Pictured: Alison Smithurst, 59, Rosemary Satchwell, 55, Julie Brady, 60 and Helene Monpetit, 56, before the challenge commenced.
