'It's strange to be on land after 97 days at sea'

Zara Lachlan, 21, has just completed a 3,600 nautical-mile journey from Europe to South America

A 21-year-old has who became the first woman and youngest person to row solo from Europe to South America said it "feels very strange to be back on land".

Zara Lachlan, from Cambridge, encountered sharks and whales during 97 days alone at sea in aid of Team Forces Foundation and Women in Sport.

She set off from Lagos on the Portuguese Algarve on October 27, concluding her 3,600 nautical-mile journey on Saturday when she reached French Guiana.

"I really enjoyed it and it was just pretty cool, but I don't think it has hit me yet," she told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.

During her challenge, Ms Lachlan battled the elements, encountered sharks and whales, and broke her finger

"I feel very happy to be back on land and sleeping in a bed, and eating food that is actually warm and fresh is really nice.

"But my hands are very, very rough and could probably sand wood right now."

Over the course of her trip, the Loughborough University physics student cut her leg, injured her arm, broke her finger and smashed her phone screen.

Ms Lachlan, who will join the Army in September as a technical officer, also saw her boat capsize, her equipment break, and experienced a near miss with a ship.

"Every day for the first month I wanted to go home and I thought this was a silly idea and it was so hard," added Ms Lachlan, who lost muscle and fat on her voyage.

"But I know for a fact that if someone came up to me on a boat and said they would tow me in and I could fly home I would tell them to go away.

"I wanted to give up but I never actually wanted to stop. You can't just stop something because it was difficult."

The 21-year-old said her impressive achievement had still not sunk in

Since reaching dry land, Ms Lachlan, who has only been able to "take a couple of steps" for three months, has been for a run and enjoyed a well-earned sleep – in a proper bed.

She said: "It felt unusual to wake up this morning and not have to move my body straight away.

"I do like exercising and being out in the sun, so rowing for three months was kind of a dream for me."

Ms Lachlan took on the challenge in aid of Team Forces Foundation and Women in Sport

After reaching French Guiana, Ms Lachlan was greeted by locals intrigued by her challenge, as well as her family.

"It was so nice to see people and hug them and I will remember that feeling for a really long time." She said.

"My mum was very, very happy to see me and happy that I was safe and OK, and there were tears of happiness.

"I actually didn't cry but I don't think it had sunk in that I had finished."