Four 'post-90s' college women participating in Atlantic rowing challenge

Four "post-90s" women of Shantou University departed from San Sebastian de La Gomera in the Canary Islands, Spain, Thursday as part of the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, China News Service reported. This four-women team is the first Chinese mainland team joining in this challenge.

The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge is the most difficult rowing event in the world, challenging one's offshore physical limits. There are teams from 32 countries taking part in this challenge, with total length of 5,000 kilometers this time. They departed from San Sebastian de La Gomera, Canary Islands, Spain, and will reach the Caribbean island of Antigua in North America.

The four women are Liang Mintian, Chen Yuli, Li Xiaobing and Meng Yajie. Their team, named "KungFuCha-Cha", is formed with the sponsorship and support of Li Ka Shing Foundation. They intend to accomplish this challenge within 50 days.

"The harder it is, the more united we are. We are all confident that we can overcome difficulties and accomplish the challenge," said team member Meng Yajie.

The four women will be rowing 24 hours a day without any intervals on a boat less than 4 square meters, and dealing with any unknown difficulties on the sea.

According to Shantou University, their team name "KungFuCha-Cha" stands for Chaoshan culture’s gongfu?tea, a variety of tea popular in the Chaoshan district in China. Besides, "gongfu" is pronounced the same as "kung fu", indicating that they hope to receive great Chinese spirit and improve themselves in order to succeed in crossing the Atlantic.