Atlantic Rowing Challenge in support of Breast Cancer Care
ARC Masthead

About Lin & Rachel - Credit Amy Neal @ SplashSo who are these intrepid women? What drove them to take on such a massive challenge?

Often facing the charge of being slightly insane, Lin and Rachel obviously had some strong motivation to take on this challenge. But how prepared were they and what made them think they could do it?

We asked Lin and Rachel to answer some questions to help gain an insight into what makes them tick. What do they do for a living, what's their background and what do they really think of each other? Read on to find out more…

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Rachel Smith

How old were you when you set off?

37, but very nearly 38!

Where are you from?

Born South and moved North. A bit of English, Scottish and Welsh - some would say Heinz 57!

Any Qualifications?

I'm old enough to have done O'levels, a couple of A'levels and have an HND in Equine Science and Business. Equestrian teaching, sports coaching, scuba diving and cycling proficiency when I was eight!! I've also got a full motorbike licence and like Lin can now add Shorebased Ocean Yachtmaster, Sea First Aid, Sea Survival and Marine Short Wave Radio certificates to the haul.

What are your other great achievements?

Winning Gold at the 2003 World Dragon Boat Championships in a (still current) world record time for the 1,000m. Riding 2 horses in the same competition (albeit novice!) and coming first and second. Moving abroad alone at 20 to a country where I didn't speak the language. World record for towing the heaviest thing (a 440 tonne tall ship) using a dragon boat. And…. Getting to 'drive' Chitty Chitty Bang Bang!!

How would other people describe you?

Competitive, loyal, determined (Paul says stubborn!), funny, short and curvy!

Who inspires you?

Lin and countless sports people. My mum. Breast cancer sufferers and survivors.

Favourite saying?

'If not now, then when? If not you, then who?' Or another favourite is 'In each of us there are heroes, speak to them and they will come forth'.

What did you think you'd miss most?

A hot bath and Paul (not necessarily in that order). Maybe work... nawww! Ice cubes in drinks!

Best piece of advice received so far?

Time is money - the more time you put in the more money you'll raise. From Sally Kettle, Rowgirls.

What was your biggest fear?

Spiders of course! Our boat was a spider-free zone by 10 minutes out of La Gomera! And I have a healthy respect for water and the weather. Fundraising is quite scary too!

What were you most looking forward to?

Dolphins and sunrises/sunsets. Time with my best friend. And what it will feel like when we achieve what we set out to do!

How would you describe Lin?

Others describe us as the evil twins! But I'd say she's honest, determined (stubborn?) and I trust her implicitly. A really great person to have around in a crisis, and someone who I can share (and have shared) everything with, good or bad.

Lin

How old were you when you set off?

Do I really have to divulge this information? OK, if I must, I'll be 41 with a mental age of around 12!

Where do you come from?

A good, old fashioned, buxom West Country girl - originally from Swindon but call Devon home now. I love living and working in/around London though.

What do you do?

Local Government Accountant for Croydon Council - You can wake up now!

Any Qualifications?

Lots of CSE's (remember them?), PRINCE2 Practitioner (Project Management), NEBOSH General Certificate (Health & Safety), AAT (Accounting), First Aid at Work, inc Defib (hopefully won't need that one!) and sports coaching. Can also now add Shorebased Ocean Yachtmaster, Sea First Aid, Sea Survival and Marine Short Wave Radio certificates.

What are your other great achievements?

Climbing Mount Kenya as part of 3 months spent with Operation Raleigh, winning two gold medals at the European Dragon Boat Championships, one with a new world record for 1,000m and having my son, Liam.

How would other people describe you?

A good, loyal friend, funny, driven, competitive and will try anything once!

Who inspires you?

Many elite sports people - Matthew Pinsent, Steve Redgrave, Josh Lewsey, Alan Chambers, Denise Lewis, to name but a few. Also my son Liam, sister Nicky and my mother-in-law Barbara, who sadly passed away in 2005 having suffered from breast cancer.

Favourite saying?

There are so many to choose from, but here are a couple of favourites: The great pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do. The greatest enjoyment in life comes from living dangerously. And the last one: The greatest failure is the failure to try.

What did you think you'd miss most?

Without a doubt, my son Liam and my partner Charles, my family and friends (see you all in Antigua I hope!), my bed and roast dinners.

What was your biggest fear?

Not making the fundraising target. But others became apparent as we got closer to the race, like big waves and sharks.

What were you most looking forward to?

Real dark, the quiet, the feeling when we reach Antigua (sorry Liam, I will cry but remember it will be happy tears!)

How would you describe Rachel?

Rachel is a very loyal friend who has always been there when I've needed her. Can't understand why she puts up with me sometimes! Definitely the right person to be sharing this challenge with because I know she'll put in as much as me to achieve our goal.