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Breaking | Chinese women set two world records for rowing unsupported across the Atlantic

Kung Fu Cha Cha row 4,800 kilometres unsupported with only two hours sleep at a time to victory in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge

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Kung Fu Cha Cha celebrate as they reach land. Photo: Atlantic Campaigns

Four Chinese women have just set the world record for rowing across the Atlantic. Team Kung Fu Cha Cha reached shore after 34 days at sea, beating Row Like A Girl’s record by six days, which was set in 2016.

(L-R) Sarah Meng Yajie, Amber Li Xiaobing, Cloris Chen Yuli and Tina Liang Mintian are now world record holders. Photo: Handout
(L-R) Sarah Meng Yajie, Amber Li Xiaobing, Cloris Chen Yuli and Tina Liang Mintian are now world record holders. Photo: Handout

Not only did Tina Liang Mintian, 23, Cloris Chen Yuli, 23, Amber Li Xiaobing, 22, and Sarah Meng Yajie, 23, become the fastest female team to complete the challenge, but also the youngest women and the only Chinese team to row any ocean.

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They were racing in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge (TWAC) – dubbed the world’s toughest row. Teams start in La Gomera in the Canary Islands and row unsupported to Antigua.

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The women rowed in shifts – two hours on, two hours off – non-stop for the entire journey. They carried all their food and made their water with solar powered desalinator.

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