A 29-year-old New York woman has become the first U.S. woman to sail solo around the world.
Cole Brauer arrived back in Spain on Thursday morning after a 130-day voyage.
She left A Coruna, Spain, on October 29th, and sailed around the world via the three great capes (south of Africa, Australia, and South America) and the trip was approximately 26,000 nautical miles.
"I can't believe it guys. I sailed around the world," Brauer said in an Instagram live video as she approached the shore.
A crowd was waiting for her at the dock, including her parents. Brauer's mother broke down in tears as she hugged her daughter.
She then sprayed her support team with champagne and drank from a trophy awarded to her for finishing the race.
Her trip was part of the Global Solo Challenge.
Brauer reportedly faced hurricane-force winds and 30-foot swells during her grueling trip.
She injured a rib at one point during the trip when a large wave threw her across the cabin below deck and she crashed into the side of the boat.
"To the end, it was a really rough situation," Brauer told NBC's Today show but added, "This dream becomes a reality."
At sea, all of her meals were freeze-dried and rehydrated with boiling water. She used a desalinator to drink ocean water.
Can't wait to have fresh fruits and vegetables but the first thing she was looking for on land was a cup of coffee and a croissant.
As for her message to women after her feat?
"It's a fully male-dominated world," Brauer said. "I want women to really understand it's possible."
