Hartfield woman "fairing well" in Indian Ocean naked rowing race

A NAKED boat race across a choppy ocean may not be everyone's cup of tea, but for one Hartfield woman it has become the challenge of a lifetime.

Jo Jackson, 28, raised in Cat Street, is one of four women taking part in the "toughest ocean race on earth", covering between them a whopping 3,132 nautical miles.

The women are rowing naked to avoid getting serious skin sores from wearing salty wet clothes.

The women set off from Australia on April 19 and will travel across the Indian Ocean to Mauritius.

So far, the team, dubbed the Ocean Angels, have covered 2,147 miles.

On June 11, day 54, an online update said the group was in third place out of seven teams.

They are the only all-female crew to enter The Woodvale Challenge competition, and if they complete the daunting challenge they will be the first women to row across the Indian Ocean.

Miss Jackson had never rowed before agreeing to take part in the race, and only decided to take the plunge after receiving an email appeal from friend and experienced rower, Fiona Waller.

Jim Hollins, Miss Jackson's uncle and Wealden district councillor, said: "They started off with this fantastic idea of rowing across the Indian Ocean and we never thought they would do it, but they did. Now they are 54 days in.

"I think it's fabulous and I hope they get lots of money for Breast Cancer Care."

The Ocean Angels want to raise £50,000 for the charity through the formidable task in the 29 ft boat.

They hope to complete the distance in 74 days.

They are having to contend with 50-foot waves, as well as rowing in two-hour shifts throughout the day and night.

Speaking before her departure, Miss Jackson said that she had mixed feelings about the task ahead.

She said: "It is very daunting but at the same time you can't turn those sort of challenges down.

"I am really scared but at the same time really excited about it."