Renowned adventurer Fedor Konyukhov has set a new record

Renowned adventurer Fedor Konyukhov has set a new record. In the night from February 10 to 11, his boat “AKROS” crossed 20 degrees east longitude (Cape Agulhas, South Africa) and entered the Indian Ocean, making him the first person to cross the South Atlantic on a rowing boat. This achievement was announced in the official Telegram channel of the expedition’s headquarters.

The journey from the shores of South America to Cape Agulhas took Konyukhov 68 days. His route passed through the “roaring forties” and “furious fifties” — the most dangerous and stormy latitudes on the planet, where strong winds constantly blow and giant waves rise. Drifting ice, especially from May to October, makes this area even more hazardous, and the remoteness of the region from populated areas complicates search and rescue operations.

Konyukhov has previously completed the first-ever rowing crossing of the South Pacific Ocean from New Zealand (Port Dunedin) to Cape Horn (Chile) between December 2018 and May 2019. This was the first stage of his solo round-the-world rowing expedition. He has also crossed the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans on rowing boats. Currently, he is on the second stage of his expedition, aiming to reach Cape Leeuwin in Western Australia, with 4,200 nautical miles remaining.

The boat “AKROS,” designed by British designer Philip Morrison, is a 9-meter vessel made of composite materials. It features watertight compartments for supplies and equipment, and is equipped with high-efficiency solar panels to power navigation equipment and communication systems.

Fedor Konyukhov has completed five circumnavigations and set two world records in 2016 by circumnavigating the globe in a hot air balloon on his first attempt. He has conquered the highest peaks of all seven continents and reached both the South and North Poles solo. In total, Konyukhov holds 27 world records, including five Guinness World Records.