Francisco Lufinha: from Porto to Lagos with a kite | Photo: João Ferrand

Francisco Lufinha has successfully set a new Guinness World Record for the longest kiteboarding journey after sailing for 307.5 nautical miles (569 kilometers) along the Portuguese coastline.

Lufinha left the Douro river mouth, in the city of Porto, on September 17, at 14h30, and reached Lagos, in the Algarve, on the 18th September, at 20h34.

The Portuguese kiteboarder, 30, sailed past Aveiro (17h) and Nazaré (20h) on the first day.

The record was broken the next morning, with Francisco Lufinha riding more than 199 nautical miles, 20 hours after leaving the Douro Marina.

"It was very difficult, but I'm glad I managed to beat the world record," says Francisco Lufinha.

"When I was only two miles away from breaking the record, near Cape Espichel, the wind died down. I thought it wouldn't be enough, but fortunately, it picked up, and it was enough to pass the mark."

The MINI Kitesurf Odyssey by Francisco Lufinha was completed without any stop. Food and water were delivered by the support boat.

The previous record for the longest kiteboarding journey was 199.63 nautical miles (369.71 kilometers), which was achieved by Phillip McCoy Midler, who traveled from South Padre Island, Texas, to Matagorda, Texas, USA.

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