Zara Lachlan battles injury and peril on solo row from Europe to South America
- Zara Lachlan embarked on her rowing journey from Portugal on October 27, 2023.
- She faced significant challenges, including a capsized boat and a cut leg, while rowing solo across 3,600 nautical miles.
- Lachlan aims to inspire women to pursue physical challenges and raise money for charity during her adventure.
In October 2023, Zara Lachlan, a 21-year-old from Cambridge, set off on an ambitious journey to row solo from Portugal to French Guiana. The challenge spans 3,600 nautical miles across the Atlantic Ocean, with an estimated completion time of 90 days. She embarked on this expedition to become the youngest and first woman to achieve such a feat unsupported. Along the way, she has faced significant challenges, including a cut leg and a capsized boat, which have tested her mental and physical limits. The mental aspect of the voyage has been particularly strenuous for Lachlan, who initially struggled during the first month of her journey. With an average of 18 to 20 hours of rowing a day, she expressed feelings of doubt regarding her progress and the possibility of completing her venture. The solitude of being alone on the water compounded her challenges, but it also provided moments of beauty and gratitude, as she has seen dolphins and whales. These experiences have often left her longing for companionship to share the remarkable sights. Despite her adversities, Lachlan has remained focused on her ultimate goal, which is to inspire other women to engage in physical challenges and promote gender equality in sports. She hopes that her extraordinary journey can serve as motivation for others to realize their potential and to pursue their aspirations, no matter how rigorous they may seem. As she approaches the halfway mark of her journey, Lachlan feels she has gained more courage and confidence, expressing optimism about the second half being swifter and more manageable. In September 2024, she plans to join the Army as a technical officer after completing her physics degree at Loughborough University. This transition marks a significant point in her life, combining her passion for adventure with her commitment to serving her country. In the meantime, the journey continues, with Lachlan navigating the challenges of the open sea while keeping her eyes set firmly on her goal of achieving three world records and raising funds for the charity Women In Sport.