Records: World record - Quentin Debois is the fastest Mini transatlantic driver
Tatjana Pokorny
· 02.02.2026
24 days. 19 hours. 31 minutes. That's how fast Quentin Debois propelled his Mini 6.50 from east to west across the Atlantic. The 38-year-old Belgian, who has only been sailing for seven years, has thus set a world record for boats of 6.50 metres and smaller. Quentin Debois improved on the first best time achieved in March and April 2024 by Spanish record holder Aina Bauza ("Redo by Anima Negra", 30 days, 22 hours and 35 minutes) by more than six days.
Many mini riders have yet to attempt the record for the fastest jump across the Atlantic. Their biennial highlight of the season, the Mini-Transat, consists of two stages that do not make it possible to chase a Transat best time. The Debois success and the response to it could also have a positive impact in the future. other top players in the scene with faster and younger boats. The World Sailing Speed Record Council (WSSRC) has yet to officially ratify the new best time.
The mini-soloist bows to his team
Quentin Debois is now the first Belgian to set such a transatlantic record. The soloist's home is the province of Liège. He first fell in love with sailing in 2018 at the age of 31. He completed his first solo transatlantic regatta in 2023 and has now achieved the big coup.
Subject to confirmation by the WSSRC, Quentin Debois said at the destination of his dreams: "Basile Rochut, my router, did an excellent job. He helped me to choose the right courses. We were also able to break the record thanks to his advice and the preparation of my technical coach Quentin Droneau."
Quentin Debois bowed to his entire Team Odigo, describing the record as a "real team success" and said: "People don't see the team so much when sailing solo. In fact, none of it would be possible without the team." The mini-record man, who has been sailing professionally for a year, had originally reckoned on 25 to 30 days for his record attempt, but then exceeded his own forecasts.
Mini-record: with courage, entrepreneurial spirit and resilience
For Debois, the roots of success lie in his own team and in the collaboration with his partners: "We all share strong values that give meaning to this adventure: Entrepreneurial spirit to build something and make decisions without guarantees. Adaptability to move forward in a constantly changing environment. Courage to take on big challenges. And resilience to face obstacles and surpass oneself."
His mental coach Victor Dehaze said: "Quentin had already won this challenge when he crossed the start line. Putting together such a complete team with such strong partners in such a short time is the biggest challenge in this world record. That explains why he was smiling so much and so eager to get going. Just the opportunity to start the race was a huge reward."
After the success, Quentin Debois also took a bow to the UK Sailmakers, saying: "They made four sails for me that didn't tear during this Atlantic passage: my Solent, my Gennaker, my Spi-Medium and my Spi-Max. These sails were my travelling buddies. They pushed me along in the trade winds and gave me the confidence to push my boat. And I have to say that they did a great job."
Mini-soloist Quentin Debois: imperturbable, intelligent and efficient
Debois, for example, reported on day 22 of his record run: "Right now, as I'm writing this, the Spi-Medium is taking the boat to small peaks of 15 knots of speed in 20 knots of wind at 140 degrees TWA. That's powerful!" Quentin Debois intelligently and efficiently mastered 4,466 Atlantic nautical miles sailed in the Mini in around three and a half weeks. It's not just his team who attest to the steadfast sailor's above-average powers of concentration, great prudence and good sense of humour.
Mental coach Victor Dehaze said that Debois had developed "a strength of steel", for whom the crossing "was the easiest part in my opinion". Quentin Debois achieved the transat record with an aged but very well prepared boat from 2015. The Bertrand-Ofcet design with hull number 879 carried its skipper safely and quickly across the pond.
Many miniists have not yet attempted this record, which is why further record attempts are quite conceivable. I wonder what it would be like if "superfoilers" and Mini speed record holder Benoït Marie would be able to cross the Atlantic safely with his projectile with a view to his 24-hour mark of 352.59 nautical miles? Mini-Transat sailor Hendrik Lenz describes Debois' success as "a cool achievement". However, the Belgian is not yet finished with his best performance. In June this year, Quentin Debois wants to attempt to set a record for the Atlantic return passage from west to east - then from New York to Lizard Point.
Chasing the "Speedy Gonzales" best time with the Mini
This west-east course is considered faster, but also more challenging. The next record for Quentin Debois to beat is currently held by Jay Thompson, who sailed his Mini "Speedy Gonzales" from west to east across the Atlantic in 17 days, 9 hours, 51 minutes and 9 seconds in August 2023. The course length was 2880 nautical miles. Thompson rode it at an average speed of 6.89 knots, setting the first benchmark three years ago that Mini challengers on this course now have to leap over.
Quentin Debois said after the first record-breaking success: "I'm slowly starting to think about the second challenge in the back of my mind. I list a few technical improvements that need to be made. Strengthening the deck, modifying certain sails, optimising the autopilot settings and more. I also start thinking about how Basile and I will choose the weather window. Because this second passage won't be easy, it's the North Atlantic after all!"
