'I knew I would win': Galway man conquers solo class in World's Toughest Row across the Atlantic

A MAN FROM Galway has won the solo class of the World’s Toughest Row, completing the 4,800km journey across the Atlantic Ocean.

Daragh MacLoughlin (42) clutched a collar belonging to his late dog Jasper – after whom his boat is named – on his final push into Nelson’s Dockyard in Antigua early this morning. 

He began the solo journey in Gomera in the Canary Islands on 14 December.

Since then, he’s raised nearly €17,000 for charity, smashing his €10k goal.

The money will go towards Irish Dogs for the Disabled and Debra Ireland, which supports people with Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB).

Daragh MacLoughlin on his boat with the Irish flag Penny Bird

MacLoughlin arrived in Antigua today to chants of “Olé, Olé, Olé, Olé”, and his suppportive wife Suzanne and daughters Maeve and Saoirse waiting for him.

The businessman ended his journey at 8.22am Irish time, celebrating with a cold can of Coca-Cola.

“It was everything I could have wanted and more,” he said moments after stepping off The Jasper, which has been his home for 39 days, 20 hours and 16 minutes.

“I went in thinking ‘this is going to be a race, a race only’, that’s what I trained for.

“But after four days, the ocean told me it’s about a lot more than that.”

Daragh MacLoughlin on his solo rowboat Penny Bird

“It opened a lot of doors I didn’t think I’d ever open,” McLoughlin said.

If you’re willing, the ocean will bring you places and it will show you things that you didn’t think were possible about yourself.

MacLoughlin, who is from Clarinbridge, told of his frustration when slack winds slowed his progress on the mammoth crossing.

But he said he predicted he would win the race, given the intense training regime he adopted over the last two years.

“I’m a big believer in visualising things. I knew I was going to win this race,” he said.

“When I arrived in, my family were waiting for me, it’s fantastic, my two girls needed that father figure back so it is so nice to be there for them again.”

The solo oarsman managed to beat several three and four person teams taking part in the race and came 14th in the overall rankings, out of 43 teams.

Those who want to donate to the his fundraiser can do so at this link.