21-Year-Old Begins Solo Europe-South America Ocean Row

A 21-year-old individual has commenced her endeavor to achieve a solo rowing record, aiming to be both the first woman and the youngest person to traverse from mainland Europe to South America. Zara Lachlan, a Cambridge native, embarked on her journey from Lagos, located on the Portuguese Algarve, at approximately 09:25 GMT. She anticipates encountering “really tough” conditions and waves reaching 20ft (6m) during her expedition. Ms. Lachlan stated that the challenge presents “the risk of bumping into orca” and “the 11 different species of sharks and marlin known to puncture the hulls of small boats.” The recent university graduate intends to cover 3,600 nautical miles (6,668km) by rowing to French Guiana, a journey estimated to take around 90 days. Her objective also includes motivating other women to engage in fitness activities. To complete the feat, Ms. Lachlan will be required to row for 20 hours daily and anticipates a loss of one-third of her bodyweight. Her provisions consist of 5,500 kcal of meals and snacks per day. She remarked, “If I can complete this challenge having never rowed on the ocean before, then other women can attempt a challenge of their own – albeit probably not a cross-Atlantic row.” Ms. Lachlan also stated, “I’m feeling really strong and well-prepared having worked with some of the best ocean rowing coaches in the world, including Charlie Pitcher and Lizzie Brown who has become a second mum to me over the last six months.” Claire Lachlan, her mother, shared that she wept upon learning of the challenge, further commenting: “You are always going to be worried about your children, but rowing an ocean alone takes that to a whole new level – saying that, we couldn’t be prouder of her.” Ms. Lachlan is engaged in fundraising efforts for Women In Sport and Team Forces, the latter being a charitable organization dedicated to enhancing “the lived experience for the armed forces community through the power of sport, challenge and adventure.” Following her return, the Loughborough University physics graduate intends to enlist in the Army as a technical officer. Ms. Lachlan expressed, “While the ocean is a challenging beast, it is also incredibly beautiful and I’m looking forward to witnessing things like the night sky free from light pollution.” She added, “Even seeing orcas over the next few days will be fascinating, as long as they leave my boat alone.”