An Australian has become the first woman to row solo across the Pacific Ocean unassisted and without stopping.
Sydney-based Michelle Lee was greeted by cheering friends and supporters as she rowed into Port Douglas in Far North Queensland on Wednesday morning, marking the end of a 14,000-kilometre, 237-day journey.
She crossed the paths of four cyclones and five hurricanes on her epic journey from Ensenada on the west coast of Mexico, with the marine life of the Pacific and a satellite phone her only company.
"When I was out there in the middle of nowhere, completely isolated, I was never lonely," Lee said.
Lee set off from Mexico in her 8-metre by 2-metre carbon fibre boat, The Australian Maid, on August 8, 2022.
Taking her first few steps on dry land in nearly eight months, Lee said the promise of greeting loved ones and eating unpackaged food helped her through a tough end to her journey, which saw her rowing in six-hour lots as she tried to navigate a difficult outgoing tide.
"Knowing [my friends] were just there and I can't touch them, can't see them, I actually felt alone for the first time, just sitting out there on the Great Barrier Reef waiting to come in," she said.
Trailed by sharks
Lee said her encounters with wildlife were a "massive highlight" of her journey, adding that she was trailed by two large sharks for weeks.
She recalled a time a baby shark — one of a group of about 50 swimming below her — jumped up into the deck of her boat.
Lee said it was a "privilege" to experience the unique nature of the Pacific Ocean.
"You're just experiencing and witnessing Mother Nature in all her runway-ready, take-me-as-I-am, natural beauty," she said.
"Some days she's better than others, and she certainly puts you through the paces."
As she approached the Port Douglas jetty, Lee's friends sounded their support with air horns and music.
Close friend Corinne Gardiner said Lee's support network had been following her journey every step of the way.
"There have been long, long chats on the satellite phone," she said.
"We've had a few tears together. We've had a lot of laughs together. We've been talking constantly."
An accomplished rower
But the accomplishment is not Lee's first rowing feat.
In 2019, the 50-year-old masseuse rowed 5,000 kilometres to cross the Atlantic Ocean in 68 days, despite having no professional rowing experience.
Lee said she received indispensable support from Roger "Clouds" Badham, a meteorologist who had previously worked on more than 40 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Races and at nine Olympics.
Mr Badham assisted Lee as she navigated wild weather along the way, including when she passed through the path of Cyclone Gabrielle, a severe tropical cyclone that severely impacted New Zealand's North Island during February.
Margaret Lee, Michelle's mother, said she "nearly died of fright" over the course of her daughter's Pacific crossing, but felt "relieved and very excited and just happy that she's home".
Scones and tea on the menu
After Australian Border Force officials cleared Lee to enter the country and greet her supporters, she was quickly joined by Dr Adrian Cohen, who provided medical support throughout her journey.
After helping Lee gain steady footing on the jetty, Dr Cohen suggested the rower "do a thongie" by drinking champagne off a thong in front of a small crowd of onlookers.
Ms Gardiner said the first item on the food menu for Lee's recovery was scones and tea.
"Devonshire tea, that's all she wants. She's been saying that to me for weeks now," she said.
Beyond scones and tea, Lee already had her eye on future feats, with plans to leave for Spain in three weeks' time to undertake a 1000km hike.
"Do what you love, love what you do," she said.
"Say 'yes'. Work the details out later. I'm excited for what's to come."
