OAHU, HI — An Adirondack High School graduate has made history with a record-breaking solo journey across the Pacific Ocean.
Kelsey Pfendler completed her trip from Monterey, California to Oahu, Hawaii late Friday night, becoming the first American woman to finish the trek alone.
In an interview with our NBC affiliate KNHL in Honolulu, Pfendler said, “Currently as it stands, I am over 525 miles ahead of the current men’s record. And I’m over 1000 miles ahead of the women’s record.”
She broke the previous women’s record of 86 days, 10 hours, and five minutes and also surpassed the men’s record of 52 days.
Crowds gathered to track Pfendler’s progress as she was spotted off Diamond Head, rowing the final miles to shore.
She reached the harbor to hundreds of cheering supporters, including many women who witnessed the achievement.
Pfendler said, “I did not expect this to happen at all. When I first started planning this row, I wanted to go for the women’s world record. But I had no idea how long this was going to take me.”
She finished the journey in 43 days, setting a new world record.
An Adirondack High School graduate has made history with a record-breaking solo journey across the Pacific Ocean.