UPDATED: 14,000km and counting - Superwoman in rare air after successful crossing of Pacific Ocean
PORT DOUGLAS ARRIVAL
UPDATED 12.24PM
Superwoman Michelle Lee has addressed the media and says she's already thinking about her next big goal.
On wildlife encounters during her epic journey:
“I only saw two whales, but I saw plenty of sharks and had one land on my boat.”
On her arrival into Port Douglas and the ongoing support she’s received:
“It’s beautiful, it’s a really nice feeling, such good vibes, the energy, I’ve had so much support and those best wishes really do travel.”
On being so close to finishing but having to wait overnight for the right tides and wind to make her final push into Port Douglas:
“(It was) torture, when I was in the middle of nowhere and completely isolated I was never lonely, (however) (overnight) knowing my family were so close and just there,(for the first time) I actually felt alone (last night) on the GBR waiting to come in.”
On what’s next:
"I love to hike so I’m thinking of hiking the Camino de Santiago hiking trail, in Spain, we’ll see."
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EARLIER: A real life superwoman conquered what many believed was an impossible feat this morning after rowing into Port Douglas following an incredible solo journey across the Pacific Ocean.
Sydney’s Michelle Lee, a 50 year-old massage therapist from Kellyville, had spent more 230 days at sea as she embarked on the 14,000km crossing of the Pacific after leaving Mexico on August 8 last year.
Her arrival just moments ago at Port Douglas Sugar Wharf after close to eight months at sea is the end to an incredible journey. Her arrival saw her become the first woman to row solo, unassisted and with no stops across the Pacific Ocean - 100 days faster than expected.
Michelle’s 14,000km trip in her 7.7x2m carbon fibre boat, “The Australian Maid” saw her across the equator and into the track of no less than five hurricanes and four cyclones.
Michelle’s no stranger to epic solo missions; she previously rowed 5000km unassisted across the Atlantic Ocean over a period of 68 days which earnt her the Australian Geographic Adventurer of the Year title in 2019.
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