Taryn Smith Makes Rowing History by Winning the World’s Toughest Row Atlantic

In between December 18 and January 29, Taryn Smith rowed for 10 to 12 hours a day, everyday. She had to face heat, severe storms, and more extreme weather all while being completely alone.

After 46 days, Taryn Smith had done the impossible! She just made history as the first American woman to win the World’s Toughest Row Atlantic rowing competition (Woman’s Solo section). The 25-year-old finished the race in 46 days, 3 hours and 37 minutes, arriving in Antigua on January 29, 2026. To make this feat even more remarkable, Smith had no prior experience of rowing before 2022.

Now in its 28th year, the World’s Toughest Row Atlantic is one of the world’s most challenging and prestigious ocean rowing competitions. This race requires its participants to row over 3000 miles (4800km) across the Atlantic Ocean from La Gomera (Canary Islands) to Antigua (Caribbean). Every year, around 20 to 40 boats take part in the competition. Some competitors row alone, while others compete in teams of 2-5. Rowers carry around 85 days of food, safety gear, a water maker, and a way to contact a support team on land.

Smith heard about the race after reading an article about a woman’s rowing team that set a world record back in 2022. Even though she had no experience in rowing, she decided to try it out. To prepare for the extreme race, Smith spent three years training and developing skills in the UK. She learned to navigate the ocean, interpret weather, and use radios to communicate. She moved into her boat a few weeks before the race to get used to life at sea.

On December 14th 2025, the 25-year-old set sail from La Gomera alongside 42 other boats. Smith rowed 10 to 12 hours a day, while the rest of the time was spent eating, resting, checking navigation, and maintaining the boat.

The journey was anything but easy. Getting sleep was difficult, and storms, waves, rain, and more extreme weather only added to the challenge. But for Smith, the hardest part was being alone the entire time. Fortunately, she had the support of over 600,000 fans on social media, who always watched her daily updates and videos. Their support gave her the strength to continue through the challenge.

Smith’s hard work and resilience paid off in a legendary triumph as she pulled into Nelson’s Dockyard in Antigua on January 29th 2026. Along the way, she also raised over 40,000 dollars for Girls on the Run, a nonprofit that helps girls build confidence and stay active. Smith hopes her achievement will inspire others to take on big challenges, even when they seem impossible.