By Martin Banks

Belgian sailor Quentin Debois has broken the world record for crossing the Atlantic from east to west aboard his 6.50m sailboat Les Poupoules .

He completed the challenge at the weekend in 24 days, 19 hours and 31 minutes (subject to ratification of the record by the World Sailing Speed Record Council – WSSRC), beating the previous record set by Aina Bauza in April 2024.

Debois, from Liège, set sail from Cadiz in Spain on 6 January, arriving in San Salvador in the Bahamas.

He is the first Belgian skipper to break a world record for crossing the Atlantic. “I’m really happy with the performance, morale was excellent throughout the crossing,” said Debois.

“This second Transatlantic race confirms that this is the right thing for me. I gave it my all, keeping a cool head and enjoying every moment. Above all, it’s a team victory,” he noted, adding: “I’ll be floating on air for a few days.”

The yachtsman was quick to praise his team. “Basile Rochut, my router, did a tremendous job. He helped me take the right routes, and if this record is broken today, it’s thanks to his advice and the preparation of my technical coach, Quentin Droneau.”

Debois added: “This record is the result of a long-term collective effort based on shared values. From preparing the boat to crossing the finish line, I benefited from the advice and support of my entire team.”

In addition to Rochut and Droneau, he thanked mental coach Victor Dehaze, partnerships manager Cédric Maguet, public relations manager Laurence Hannon, and Martin Mounot for digital communications. “They contributed to the success of this exhilarating challenge. I am deeply grateful to them.”

“Supporting a project like this means accepting a degree of uncertainty and risk. It means believing in a vision, in a trajectory, and choosing to go for it despite everything.

Debois’ spokesperson said: “This performance is the result of rigorous technical and mental preparation, concentration, resilience and unfailing morale on board, but also of a masterful routing strategy, a committed team and daring partners present at every stage of this incredible human adventure.

“Quentin gave his all to maintain a high average speed and apply the routing advice with great rigour. He constantly sought speed, trying every day to exceed the routing estimates.

“He sailed intelligently and efficiently, which enabled him to cross the finish line six days ahead of the previous record aboard the smallest racing boat capable of crossing the Atlantic.”

Thibault De Haes, chief executive of Pharmacie Familia, said: “Whether you break the record or not, it doesn’t matter. For us, the partnership is already a success. A wind of dynamism and team spirit is already blowing through the company.”