Zam Lachlan, aged 21, from the United Kingdom, became the first woman-and the youngest person-to row from mainland Europe to mainland South America with no one else to help her. Zam set off in a special rowing boat from Portugal on October 27. She completed the Atlantic crossing in just over 97 days. On February 1, she arrived in French Guiana. "Nobody knew I was coming in," she said. "But I got clapped(鼓掌)by lots of fishermen from Brazil."
Zam faced many challenges(挑战)along the way. A high wind turned her boat over. She hurt her arm and broke a finger. At one point, she was nearly run over by a large ship. And one time, she was hit by a flying fish. But there were many bright things, too. For Zam, the trip was a chance to see nature as few people ever do. "The sunrises and night skies were really exciting," she said. "The trip gave me many memories(回忆). They will stay with me for life."
"I took on a big challenge and won," Zara said. "I hope my effort will inspire(激励)others to challenge themselves."