First women to row nonstop around mainland Britain

The Virgin GB Row 2010 team, from left, Angela Madsen, Belinda Kirk, Beverley Ashton and Laura Thommason, celebrate completing their rowing challenge around Great Britain - becoming the first female crew to complete the feat - on the River Thames in London, on Friday. Photo: AP.

Four rowers have become the first women to row nonstop around mainland Britain after completing the 3,200—kilometer (2,000—mile) journey on Friday.

Amateur rowers Belinda Kirk, Laura Thomasson, Beverley Ashton and Angela Madsen reached London’s Tower Bridge to finish the trip in 51 days, 16 hours, 42 minutes.

Ms. Madsen is a wheelchair—bound former U.S. marine from Long Beach, California. She has rowed the Atlantic and Indian oceans but says Britain “presented the most challenging and unpredictable weather patterns.”

The 50—year—old grandmother broke her finger setting off a flare but carried on with a strapped hand.

The quartet started the race against a men’s team on June 1 but the men gave up after less than two weeks.