Inspirational athlete who trained in Hartlepool becomes the youngest female to row across an ocean

Jasmine Harrison, 21, ahead of her rowing challenge of 3,000 miles across the Atlantic.

British 21-year-old Jasmine Harrison has become the youngest female to row across an ocean after completing the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge.

To prepare for it, she had been rowing her 21ft boat out of Hartlepool Marina so that she can get used to anchorages, shipping lanes, 20ft waves and all the other challenges of what lies ahead.

Ms Harrison, from Thirsk, North Yorkshire, completed the 3000-mile journey in 70 days, three hours and 48 minutes, event organisers, Atlantic Campaigns, said in a statement.

Jasmine and the boat at Hartlepool Marina.

She set off from La Gomera in the Canary Islands on December 12 and arrived on Saturday, February 20, into Antigua in the West Indies.

A total of 21 international entrants - including four-man crews, all-female boats and solo competitors - rowed in this edition of the annual Atlantic Challenge, which raises money for charity.

Ms Harrison supported charities including Shelterbox, which helps provide emergency shelter to families around the world, and which she was inspired to support after witnessing hurricane damage on an earlier visit to the Caribbean.

"Its the best experience a young person could ever want or have," Ms Harrison said.

"I would do it again but at the same time I would rather have other people regardless of age doing it so if I have inspired some one out there - I'm happy!"

Carsten Heron Olsen, CEO of Atlantic Campaigns, said Ms Harrison had shown "incredible strength and endurance".

"Every year we are amazed by the grit and determination shown by teams that take on the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge and this year is no different," he said.

Ms Harrison was moved to compete in the challenge after visiting Antigua and witnessing the finish of the event in 2017.

On her reasoning for picking Hartlepool for her training, she said: “I chose Hartlepool for my training because it is relatively safe but it still gives you that full ocean experience. It has channels, shipping lanes, windmills and the coastline is not in a straight line.

"Also, Hartlepool has everything you need for marina supplies.

"I have been doing a lot of day trips where I set out early on a morning and row towards Seaham, drop anchor and row back. I have done some night rows as well.”

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