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Swapping their rowing boat for an Airbus, a crew of record-breaking rowers from Jersey took just seven hours to make their return journey across the Atlantic.
The Intrepid 232 crew finished the race dubbed the World’s Toughest Row in Antigua on Friday 9 February after 58 days at sea, setting a new world record for the oldest female crew to cross any ocean.
Within minutes of them stepping onto land at around 9.30pm, the crew had gone viral with hundreds of messages on social media to herald their accomplishment.
The Bailiff of Jersey was among hundreds of islanders to congratulate the Intrepid 232 crew, and the Bailiff's Office is seeking to organise a function to celebrate their achievement.
Video: The Intrepid232 team arriving in Antigua to huge applause from supporters.
The Intrepid crew’s arrival at the finish line followed a particularly arduous period over the final 10 days, when strong winds brought them to a standstill and requiring the use of a para-anchor not to be blown off-course.
Portraits taken just moments after their arrival (pictured in the gallery below) demonstrated the impact of the race on each of the rowers.
"Their hair is changed, their skin is tough and weather-beaten, but it's those eyes that hold the biggest change... You can see that their eyes are almost glazed – like their minds are still at sea," a post on the team's social media page read.
"And perhaps that's the biggest change - the ocean is now a part of the tapestry of their lives - as tough and as hell-like as it was, it's shaped them in some way. These brilliant women have left apart of themselves out on the ocean, and they've come back stronger and more amazing than before."
Three of the four-woman team has now made it back to Jersey.
Pictured: There was a heroine's welcome at the Airport.
Rosemary Satchwell arrived home on Thursday.
Julie Brady and Alison Smithurst then landed “back on the Rock” at lunchtime on Friday, while team-mate Helen Monpetit is due back this week after a short stop in the UK.
Supporters have greeted each of the arrivals so far, with Jersey Airport adding a congratulatory message on its digital noticeboard.
Pictured: Alison Smithurst and Julie Brady were the second and third Intrepid rowers to arrive home in Jersey.
A total of 31 boats have now arrived in Antigua, with six still making their way to the Caribbean.
The most-recent arrival was Frank Rothwell, the Chairman of Oldham Athletic Football Club, who broke his own record, set in 2021, for the oldest person to cross the Atlantic.
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