Meet the rower who is hoping to set a 3,000-mile world record after months of training in Hartlepool

Jasmine Harrison, 21, is bidding to become the youngest solo female ever to row 3,000 miles across the Atlantic.

To prepare for it, she has 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.

Jasmine is racing under the name Rudderly Mad in the Talisker Whisky Challenge which has 25 teams in it. Jasmine is one of eight solo crews in the race.

She will spend weeks at sea in a boat which has two cabins. One of them is a sleeping cabin while the other is for storage and ropes.

The part-time swimming teacher completed her final practice in Hartlepool this week. Her two-cabin boat will be lifted out of the marina this Wednesday for transportation to the start line in the Canary Islands.

Then, on December 12, she will start her mammoth effort to row across the Atlantic to Nelson’s Dockyard in Antigua.

She hopes to take 70 days to complete the challenge.

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.”

Jasmine had never rowed before she signed for the challenge in January but she said: “I have travelled abroad and gone for months by myself. I am also into going wild camping.”

Jasmine also explained more about the preparation she has been doing in Hartlepool.

"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.”

Jasmine, from Thirsk, would love to hear from anyone willing to sponsor her.

To find out more, visit here.

She hopes to get help towards fees such as shipping costs, marina berthing fees and entry costs. Those interested can read her story at https://www.rudderlymad.co.uk

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