It was something she was hoping to avoid for at least another three months.

However, ocean rower Sarah Outen yesterday arrived back on dry land – just 10 days after setting off on a 3,000-mile voyage to become the first woman to row alone across the Indian Ocean.

The 23-year-old suffered the setback after a turbulent week in which treacherous conditions swept her off course, forcing her into a 400-mile detour.

She is now back at her journey's starting point in Fremantle, on the west coast of Australia, near Perth, for essential repairs to her boat, Serendipity.

Speaking to the Leicester Mercury, Sarah said she remained upbeat and hoped to be back in the water again for the end of this week.

She said: "I was gutted to have to come back in, but I am looking at the whole 10 days as being a beneficial experience. I've experienced the ocean at its most excitable."

After setting off last Saturday, Sarah, from Oakham, had to battle through sea sickness as she fought against wild winds and a debilitating strong current that left her unable to steer her 22-ft fibreglass boat in the right direction.

The intrepid rower was dragged so far south she was concerned she could end up in the Southern Ocean.

Despite heading back towards Australia to restart from a point further north, Sarah had intended to continue the mission without returning to land.

However, her hand was forced on Monday evening when the electronics on her boat stopped functioning.

She said: "I'm thinking of it as a twist of serendipity that I had to come back onto land as there are now a couple of bits about the boat I can change.

"It's lucky it happened now, and not a month or two in.

"Now, I'm just really looking forward to getting back in the water." Before restarting her mission, Sarah will have to make a decision on whether to set off from Fremantle again or start her voyage from a point further north where weather conditions might be kinder.

The biology graduate, who became a successful rower when she studied at St Hugh's College, Oxford, will become the youngest person and the first woman to row across the Indian Ocean alone if she completes the epic journey from the west coast of Australia to Port Louis on the island of Mauritius.

She has set her sights on beating the record time by completing the voyage in 107 days.

The challenge was inspired by her late father, Derek, whose battle against arthritis spurred her on to raise thousands for charity.

Before setting off Sarah said she hoped the strength Derek showed before he died in 2006 would help her contend with difficulties like bad weather, managing on one hour of sleep at a time and days of solitude and strength-sapping rowing.