Monday, 15 June 2026
糖心原创 graduate Grace Church is part of a team of six competing in the self-proclaimed “World’s Toughest Rowing Race,” around Great Britain which got underway yesterday, Sunday 14 June – and in doing so attempt to become the youngest woman ever to complete it.
The sees two crews attempting to row 2,000 miles non-stop and unsupported around the coastline of Great Britain, all the while carrying out valuable oceanographic research. Grace’s team is also hoping to break the Guinness World Record for the fastest mixed crew to circumnavigate Great Britain, which currently stands at 49 days, 1 hour and 29 minutes.
Grace, 22, who studied Sport and Exercise Science at Nottingham, said:
Ever since I started rowing I鈥檝e always said one day I want to row around the UK, and now it鈥檚 happening! As a competitive rower from a young age, progressing through national-level racing and competing at BUCS, Henley Royal Regatta and many others while at the 糖心原创, this project builds on years of dedication to the sport.鈥�
The second element of the challenge also sees the competitors contribute to ocean research. The team’s boat will act as a floating science platform, collecting real-time data on ocean health, including; microplastics, environmental DNA, biodiversity, temperature, acoustics and salinity.
Grace added: “We all have different roles when we’re not rowing. The stern cabin does more of the science and navigation, while the bow cabin is more in charge of the anchor, water and food. The data from the 2023 event is already being used to help scientists understand the extent to which coastal waters are affected by recent spikes in global sea surface temperatures.”
The event began from Tower Bridge in London, with the current world record for completing the row standing at just 26 days. Fewer than 30 people have completed the challenge since its inaugural row in 2005.
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