The crew of four rowed more than 9,000 miles in nearly nine months at sea.

Four British women rowers have established a record for a trans-Pacific crossing after arriving in Cairns, Australia on Monday as the first all-woman team to complete the trip.

Calling themselves the Coxless Crew, the group arrived in Australia after 257 days at sea in a trip that spanned more than 9,600 miles in a 29-foot boat they named Doris.

Natalia Cohen, Emma Mitchell and team leader Laura Penhaul all rowed the entire trip that began in San Francisco in April 2015. The fourth spot on the crew was shared by Isabel Burnham, Lizanne Van Vuuren and Meg Dyos, who each rowed a leg.

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The women had been expected to make landfall in Australia on Sunday but were delayed by weather. On route, they faced storms and heavy swell, were circled by sharks and typically slept for only two hours at a time.

The women slept, washed and ate in a cabin the size of a two-man tent and likened the experience to “being in a two-man tent-sized sauna,” in an interview with Australia’s Associated Press following their arrival.

In a post on their Facebook page announcing their arrival, the team said: “More than 9 months after Doris set off from San Francisco, we have made land in Cairns, Australia. 257 days at sea, nearly 6200 hours of rowing, 1020+ dehydrated meals consumed, 7700+ litres of water drunk, 12 giant tubs of sudocrem, sea creatures, passing ships, sunsets, sunrises, torrential rain, black nights, starry nights, huge swells, flat calm, sea sickness, salt sores, storms, swimming, “showering”, “bucketing”, birthdays, Christmas, New Years, tears, hugs, laugher and unbreakable bonds formed between the 6 of us.”

The team is raising money for breast cancer research charity Breast Cancer Care and the veteran’s charity Walking With The Wounded. They hope to raise £250,000 and have thus far raised just over £32,000.

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