Indian Ocean Challenge

NEWSFLASH: Sarah Outen doubles her target to raise £20,000

Sarah Outen, who achieved three world records in 2009, by completing a solo row across the Indian Ocean, has doubled her original target by successfully raising over £20,000 for Arthritis Care.

Sarah made history by becoming the youngest person and first female to row solo across the Indian Ocean when she arrived in Mauritius around 20.30 on 3 August local time after 124 days at sea, to a crowd of well wishers including her mother Helen, her brother Matt and her right hand man and advisor, Ricardo Diniz.

She described her perilous approach in to Mauritius and the overwhelming feeling of accomplishment that swept over her as her feet stood once more on terra firma in front of a crowd of hundreds of wellwishers.

'It is a bit hard to take it all in, but I am just chuffed to be back,' she said.

'I did genuinely enjoy it all and marvel at everything that I saw, but hugging my mum and my brother on the jetty was just the most brilliant feeling.'

Fundraising target

The intrepid 24-year-old marine biologist has so far netted over £20,000 for Arthritis Care during the solo row she undertook in tribute to her late father Derek, who died in 2006 after a life affected by severe rheumatoid arthritis.

Though Sarah has now completed her challenge, you can still sponsor her through her Justgiving page.

Media frenzy

Sarah's record-breaking challenge has brought the world's media into a frenzy. Find out what the press have been saying:

• The Telegraph
• The Times
  
• The Independent
• The Oxford Times and The Oxford Times 6th August
• BBC World Service – listen to Sarah speaking to Newshour's Julian Marshall
• BBC Radio 4 - hear Sarah talking about her experience on Woman's Hour

Overwhelmed and excited

Sarah, who had not seen another person for 124 days, was extremely excited about her arrival, especially seeing her family. She requested only a massage, a glass of lemonade and some mango once she got to dry land safely. Being the professional she is, Sarah launched straight into interviews with the press before indulging.

Sarah, who is now safely ashore commented, ‘I have just had my first glass of rum punch’. She has been talking of arriving to a glass of rum punch for the last few weeks on her lively blogs on her website.

Sarah has talked about her epic journey on the BBC Radio 2's Radcliffe and Maconie Show on 4th August, 8 - 10pm. If you missed it, catch up on BBC iPlayer.

Tremendous Effort

The arrival of Sarah was fraught with hazards, having only a small space through the reefs to come through and high winds and waves to contend with. Daylight was also disappearing fast.

Guided in by the coast guard boat, a rescue plane anxiously awaiting her safe arrival along with hoards of supporters. Sarah made it to land at 20.27 to a relieved a team of dedicated supporters. She was swamped with hugs from her Mum and brother, cheers from the locals and a nice big slice of pizza.

Sarah’s support team updating her blog stated, “Ricardo and a group of volunteers reached Sarah, through the reef. They managed to get the rescue boat through the reef until they were 300 metres away from Sarah. From there they walked until they reached her. She’s ok, although obviously emotional right now. The boat is being tied to the rescue boat and towed to the beach.”

Setbacks along the way

Brutal weather has often seen her confined to quarters – a two metre by one metre cabin – for more than two days at a time, unable to steer or row and at the mercy of the waves. It has also added almost 1,000 extra miles to her journey. On several occasions the wind has changed direction and blown her off course, forcing her to re-row previously hard-won miles.

Immensely Proud

Arthritis Care has been following Sarah’s progress intently since the start and is extremely privileged to be involved in this once in a lifetime experience. We are all so proud of her, congratulations Sarah!

The records Sarah has broken:

• the first woman to row solo across the Indian Ocean 
• the youngest person to row solo across the Indian Ocean
• the youngest female to row across ANY ocean

In addition:

• she is the fourth person to have ever completed the Indian Ocean, solo
• she is only the eighth woman to have completed a solo ocean rowing