Chinese team breaks world record for rowing across the Atlantic

Kung Fu Cha Cha, a female rowing team sponsored and supported by Hong Kong-based Li Ka Shing Foundation, has completed the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge in 34 days, 13 hours, 13 minutes, breaking the previous women's record set two years ago.

An undated photo shows female rowing team Kung Fu Cha Cha, composed of four students from Shantou University, taking part in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge. [Photo provided by Li Ka Shing Foundation to Chinanews.com]

Composed of four students from Shantou University in Guangdong Province, Kung Fu Cha Cha reached the Caribbean island of Antigua Thursday morning Beijing time, breaking four world records during the competition. The team was the first Asian team to take part in the challenge and also the youngest team.

The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge is the most difficult rowing event in the world, challenging one's physical limits. Some 25 teams from around the world took part in this year's competition. All teams departed from San Sebastian de La Gomera in Spain's Canary Islands on December 14, 2017, intending to accomplish the challenge within 50 days, rowing a distance of 5,000 kilometers.

An undated photo shows female rowing team Kung Fu Cha Cha, composed of four students from Shantou University, taking part in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge. [Photo provided by Li Ka Shing Foundation to Chinanews.com]

All teams are required to row 24 hours a day without any breaks, in a boat less than 4 square meters in size, while dealing with any unknown difficulties at sea.

According to Shantou University, the team battled several furious storms and received earthquake and Tsunami warnings during the past 30 days.

Hong Kong business magnate Li Ka Shing (center) takes a group photo with the four members of Kung Fu Cha Cha during a graduation ceremony at Shantou University on June 27, 2017. [Photo: VCG]

As a sponsor of Kung Fu Cha Cha, Hong Kong business magnate Li Ka Shing paid great attention to the challenge. Li said that he watched the progress using mobile satellite tracking daily, and is proud of the four girls.