Belgian sailor breaks Atlantic solo sailing record

Belgian skipper Quentin Debois has set a new world record for sailing solo across the Atlantic from east to west.

The 38-year-old from Liege completed the journey from Cadiz in Spain to San Salvador in the Bahamas in 24 days, 19 hours and 31 minutes, arriving on Saturday morning at 7.30am Belgian time.

Debois sailed a Mini 6.50, a racing yacht just 6.5 metres long and the smallest class able to cross an ocean. He covered 3,884 nautical miles (about 7,200 kilometres) after leaving Spain on 6 January and passing Gran Canaria, which is a required checkpoint.

He beat the previous record set in April 2024 by Spain’s Aina Bauza, who took just over 30 days. Debois is now the first Belgian to hold a world sailing record.

Speaking in a statement, he praised his support team and said he stayed calm and positive throughout the crossing. “I’m extremely happy with this result. I gave everything and enjoyed every moment”, he said. It was his second solo Atlantic voyage.

A trained management engineer, Debois is already planning his next challenge. In June, he hopes to break the west-to-east record, sailing from New York to Lizard Point in England in under 17 days and nine hours.

^{© AFP PHOTO/David BOILY}