Ananya Prasad becomes the first woman of colour to row solo across the Atlantic

Bengaluru-born Ananya Prasad made history by becoming the first woman of color to complete a solo row across any ocean.

The 34-year-old endurance athlete achieved this extraordinary feat by completing the 3,000-mile World's Toughest Row, crossing the Atlantic from La Gomera in Spain's Canary Islands to English Harbour in Antigua.

She finished the grueling race in an impressive 52 days, 5 hours, and 44 minutes, making her the second-fastest solo woman of all time to complete the event.

Ananya, who moved to the UK when she was just six years old, began her race on December 11, 2024, and reached the shores of Antigua on February 1, 2025. She secured second place in the solo category of the annual race, which tests physical strength, mental endurance, and technical skill on the Atlantic.

But nothing came easy for her. During the journey, Ananya battled harsh conditions, including relentless winds, towering waves, and equipment failures.

One of her toughest moments came when her boat's rudder broke, forcing her to dive beneath the vessel in rough 20-knot winds to make repairs—an especially daunting task given her discomfort with deep-sea swimming.

Additionally, she had to dive into the ocean regularly to scrape barnacles off her boat's hull to maintain speed.

Ananya Prasad spent three years rigorously preparing for the expedition, developing her technical skills, physical endurance, and mental resilience.

Each day on the Atlantic involved rowing in 12-hour shifts, taking short breaks during the day, and sleeping for five hours at night.

Throughout the race, she stayed connected with a remote technical team via satellite phones, avoiding complete isolation.

Along the way, she encountered stunning marine life, including whales, flying fish, and even orcas—moments she cherished despite the relentless challenge. Though she faced setbacks, such as losing her primary phone to the ocean, she found joy in small moments, like celebrating Christmas on her boat with mince pies and mulled wine.

Now recovering in Antigua, Ananya's incredible achievement not only secures her place in history but also serves as an inspiration to many.