Kelsey Pfendler, a professional river-rafting guide from the United States, arrived in Honolulu harbour on Friday after rowing solo more than 2,400 miles (3,900km) across the mid-Pacific from Monterey, California — a journey she completed in just under 44 days. According to records maintained by the Ocean Rowing Society International (the body that adjudicates ocean-rowing achievements for Guinness World Records), Pfendler appears to have broken both the women's and men's speed records for the crossing, beating the previous female mark of 86 days and the male record of 52 days. Hundreds of supporters greeted her on arrival, and hundreds of thousands had followed her online video diaries documenting the physical and mental challenges of the voyage, including blistered hands, sleep deprivation and difficult currents.