Please select your home edition
Edition
Vetus-Maxwell 2021 v2 LEADERBOARD

Andaman Laser Challenge - world's longest laser sail attempt

by Guy Nowell, Sail-World Asia/Sail-World Cruising on 30 May 2014
Yassine Darkaoui takes off on his Andaman Laser Challenge Adelaide
At 1220 yesterday (28 May) Yassine Darkaoui launched himself and his Laser from Ao Yon Sailing School in Phuket, Thailand, and set off on his own personal Andaman Laser Challenge, attempting to break the world record for a non-stop Laser voyage. He has to go five times around his specified route to make the distance - 301nm

The record he is trying to break is that of Tania Elías Calles Wolf, a Mexican Olympian laser sailor who, in 2010, sailed 300nm non-stop in a Laser.

However, it is very likely that Guinness will not accept the Andaman Laser Challenge as a bona fide record attempt – Yassine describes it as ‘a kind of free style sailing, with no support boat – but he considers the trip to be more of a private challenge than a public feat. The recorded GPS track will be the proof of the distance, and local media and the French Consul are enrolled as witnesses.

After several months of waiting – for a mast, for sails, for a support boat and for some help with insurance – Darkaoui finally took off alone, unsupported, in an attempt to break the Guinness Record for Longest Sea Journey in a Open Dinghy – all he has to do is sail more than 301 nm around a self-designed course of ‘loops’ in the Phuket area – around Phuket, Phi Phi and Racha, all to be recorded on a GPS. He set off without a support boat (not forthcoming) and without insurance (no offers).



Looking for a quiet and undramatic departure, Darkaoui set off with only a few people to wish him well – a few close friends, the owner of the Ao Yon Sailing School (Paul Firmin) and a journo to keep ‘em all honest.

You can follow Yassine Darkaoui’s progress on the Andaman Laser Challenge FB page and on andamanlaserchallenge.blogspot.com




At 2300h last night Darkaoui was suffering from lack of breeze, somewhere near Koh Racha, but by the morning of 29 May had completed a full lap of the Phuket - Phi Phi - Racha triangle, constituting one-fifth of the requisite distance.

Watch this space...

Henri-Lloyd Dynamic RangeSydney Boat Show 2025 - Apply to ExhibitX-Yachts X4.0

Related Articles

Foiling Sport Congress gathers global players
To shape the Future of Foiling Last week, Malcesine hosted the first-ever Foiling Sport Congress — a by-invitation event organised to foster an in-depth discussion on the current state and future developments of foiling across all disciplines.
Posted today at 5:59 am
Readying for SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week
All competitors will have equal amount of racing and fun Whether you are sailing the largest boats in the fleet, such as 60 footers Awen and Samurai, or the smallest, like Guilty Pleasures X and Peow Peow, at 6.50 metres each, all competitors will have equal amount of racing and fun.
Posted today at 5:04 am
OK Dinghy Europeans at Warnemünde day 2
Charlie Cumbley leads at the half-way stage Britain's Charlie Cumbley holds a two-point lead at the half-way stage of the 2025 OK Dinghy European Championship in Warnemünde, Germany, after two more races were held on Monday.
Posted today at 4:14 am
Gran Canaria Gloria Windsurf World Cup Day 3
The best female wave sailors in the world showcase their skills on the global stage After the men had taken centre stage for the opening two days of the 2025 Gran Canaria Gloria Windsurf World Cup, today was the day for the best female wave sailors in the world to showcase their skills on the global stage.
Posted today at 4:11 am
Transpac Onboard Episode 4
Anything Can Happen at Sea All Transpac 2025 competitors are now at sea and actively racing to Hawaii. We take a look at the Pasha Live Race Tracker and talk about the significant wind hole confronting a contingent of competitors.
Posted today at 3:06 am
Stops & re-starts in first two legs of AEGEAN 600
A tough first night and early morning spent fighting zephyrs getting through the Cyclades After a beautiful breezy start yesterday, but a tough first night and early morning spent fighting zephyrs getting through the Cyclades, at the end of today's daylight the AEGEAN 600 fleet is back on the move.
Posted on 7 Jul
British Classic Week Day 1
Northerly winds gusting 22 knots make for a brisk start Day one at British Classic Week in Cowes saw fast-paced racing around the cans sponsored by Spirit Yachts for over 50 classic and modern classic yachts.
Posted on 7 Jul
International Moth Worlds Opening Ceremony
137 sailors from 25 nations have gathered, featuring some of the biggest names in sailing After weeks of preparation and an intense lead-up, the 2025 Moth World Championship is ready to get under way. Official racing begins tomorrow, 8 July, on the waters of Lake Garda, with the event hosted by Fraglia Vela Malcesine.
Posted on 7 Jul
iQFOiL Worlds a Aarhus day 2
No racing, but spirits stay high in Aarhus Day 2 of the iQFOiL World Championship in Aarhus tested the patience of sailors, coaches, and the Race Committee alike, as the wind refused to settle across the bay.
Posted on 7 Jul
Foiling Frenzy at Fraglia Vela Malcesine
The Moth Worlds at Lake Garda are something else! The Moth Worlds at Lake Garda are something else! Regardless of where sailors are in their careers, or the reputation they have, everyone wants to be there and have a tilt at the title.
Posted on 7 Jul