Galwayman Daragh MacLoughlin has won the solo class in the World’s Toughest Row 2025, crossing the finish line off Antigua early this morning.
MacLoughlin (42) from Clarinbridge Co Galway looked fit and well as he set off a flare on board his boat, The Jasper, to celebrate his achievement.
He had rowed 4,800km from the Canaries to the Caribbean in 39 days, 20 hours and 16 minutes.
Irish rower Darragh O’Dwyer celebrates at the finish of the World’s Toughest Row after completing the Atlantic crossing aboard The Jasper in 39 days, 20 hours and 16 minutes.Photo: World's Toughest Row/Facebook
It was still dark when he finished at 4.20am local time, but he received a rousing welcome from Irish supporters out on the water to greet him.
Speaking after he reached shore in Antigua, he described the mental challenges, and how once he "moved through that" he was able to focus on rowing and aiming for the finish line.
“I think I was very frustrated when we had no wind,”he said, in response to a question on the ups and downs.
He exceeded his target to raise €10,000 for two Irish charities, with a total of €16,665 on his donation page this morning, January 23rd.
He is fundraising for Debra, which supports those living with ‘Butterfly Skin’ disease EB, and Irish Dogs for the Disabled.
His boat is named after a family dog, Jasper, and Jasper’s collar travelled with him.
Last week, he was cheered on by up to 1,000 people on the deck of cruise ship Queen Victoria which approached him and blew the ship’s horn.
MacLoughlin has paid tribute to his supporters, particularly his family. His wife Suzanne and daughters Maeve and Saoirse travelled to Antigua to meet him.
