MORE than 3,000 miles of treacherous seas and 58 days of constant effort have finally come to an end for an intrepid, record breaking Sudbury Rowing Club member.
At 4.30pm GMT on June 25, Helen Taylor, 22, along with her crew of seven international athletes smashed the world record for the fastest crossing of the Indian Ocean.
When the Oxford graduate finally hauled her boat onto dry land in Mauritius she
also became the first woman to make the crossing from Australia.
Waiting on shore to greet her were her proud parents Hazel and Neill Taylor.
Speaking from the island off the coast of Africa, Neill said: "We are both so proud and have not come down to earth yet. She got off the boat very wobbly and you could smell the whole crew from 100yds away. After a long shower and a good feed she looks very good, very brown and not too many sores."
Rowing a custom built 36ft rowing boat the crew set off from Western Australia on April 28. During the voyage they were smashed by mountainous waves and battered by cyclone force winds while crew members endured salt sores and sleep deprivation as they rowed throughout the long days and nights at sea.
Helen took on the Indian Ocean challenge to raise funds for the Scope respite centre in Bury St Edmunds where she regularly volunteers.
Helen and her parents are planning a short break in Mauritius before heading back to Suffolk next week.
Anyone who would like to read Helen's blog of the journey should go to www.indianoceanrow.blogspot.com.
If you would like to help Helen reach her £20,000 charity target call 07948 372993 or email indianoceanrow@gmail.com.
