'I've done the really tricky bits - I'll try not to mess it up'

The youngest woman to row the Atlantic alone has spoken of the "strong currents, tough winds and tricky bits" she has faced as part of her latest challenge, spending a year at sea.

Jasmine Harrison, 26, from Thirsk, is currently on a 14-month trip, sailing about 28,000 nautical miles, as part of the Mini Globe Race.

The swimming teacher and adventurer is one of 30 competitors taking part in the world solo sailing race which started last year and is due to finish by March 2026.

"The highlight is completing each little bit: getting into each port, being right with the weather, making your decisions of when you want to leave - and getting up to top speeds for a day," she said.

Ms Harrison has now set off from Cape Town in her 19ft (5.8m) yacht on the next leg across the Atlantic Ocean to Recife, Brazil, via St Helena.

She described her stay in the South African capital city as "slightly overwhelming" due to its size, as previously she had only stopped at "tiny little islands with a handful of people".

However, she explained that it did come with many perks - including a hot shower, a change of clothes and a bite to eat.

"You've got a bag of clothes you wear when you're at sea, and a bag of clothes you wear on land, and to open up that land bag and get a fresh t-shirt is really nice," she said.

Ms Harrison is a two-time world record holder, previously becoming the youngest solo female to row the Atlantic Ocean at the age of 21 back in 2021.

A year later, she was the first female to swim the full length of the British Isles, from Lands End to John o' Groats.

Ms Harrison spent this Christmas with her mum, who flew out to see her, and other sailors tackling the race.

Speaking to BBC Radio York, Ms Harrison explained that the most recent leg of the race had been one of the most challenging, especially when it came to navigation.

"We had strong currents, and the Southern Ocean can be really quite unpredictable and quite rough," she said.

"It meant really tough winds, 40 to 50 knot winds that sometimes came in gusts where it knocked the boat sideways, and currents that were so strong you needed to give yourself 40 miles to cut across it."

Looking ahead to the new year and the rest of the race, Ms Harrison said she currently had few ambitions beyond smooth sailing - and stocking up on chocolate for the days at sea.

"There's not much further to go. I've done all the really tricky bits so as long as the rest goes smoothly and I can come into Antigua all safe, that's all I hope for," she explained.

Ms Harrison estimated she was over two-thirds of the way round the route, but had about 3,000 nautical miles to go before she could class herself on "the home stretch".

"I miss my dogs more than anything because I can't tell them where I am, or when I'm going to be back," she added.

"I'm on the downhill now - I'll try my best to not mess it up."

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