Moments ago, the lone female competing as a solo participant in this year’s Talisker Whisky Atlantic challenge arrived Nelson’s Dockyard.
43-year-old Gabi Schenkel of Switzerland, rowing on the Dor12, completed the race from La Gomera, Spain in 74 days, 23 hours and 45 minutes.
The first thing she asked for after her painstaking journey was chocolate, and her first meal at the Dockyard was a burger with fries.
Speaking live on the Good Morning Jojo Sports show, Gabi said that, “the hardest part was not being able to see people or talk to people”.
The rower also shared that she had a complete loss of communication as the satellite phone she had failed her during the journey.
“I didn’t see anyone for over 60 days until a support yacht came by,” she added.
Despite the challenges, she said that “quitting was never an option” and she was “overwhelmed and happy to be home”, after being greeted by hundreds of well-wishers this morning.
When asked whether or not she would ever participate in the Atlantic challenge again, Gabi responded “absolutely not!”
The Swiss woman dedicated her row to bringing awareness to atrocities caused by ocean pollution, specifically since “plastic trash is being dumped into the sea”.
Her solo row sought to raise funds for Swiss charity, OceanCare.