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Lufinha family returns to Lisbon after sailing around the world

In September 2023, Francisco Lufinha, his wife Margarida, and their children left Lisbon aboard the sailing ship "Zinga" for a complete circumnavigation of the world. On their return to the capital, they were welcomed at Lisbon City Hall.

"To experience different cultures, get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and have some quality time," was the motivation that, in 2023, led Francisco Lufinha and his family to sail for more than two years and four months, making a complete circumnavigation of the world.

They crossed three oceans and stopped off in more than 20 countries, on a family trip: their children, Francisco and Vera, spent most of this time on board, with school and daily life routines adapted to the sea.

On their return, on January 11, they were greeted by dozens of boats, which accompanied the arrival of the sailboat in the Tagus, with the support of the maritime authorities. This afternoon, Carlos Moedas, the mayor of Lisbon, congratulated the family on their "epic journey" at an informal reception in the Town Hall.

Francisco Lufinha is a well-known Portuguese kitesurfer and adventurer, with several records in sea crossings and known for projects linked to the sea and exploration:

  • Guinness World Record for the fastest crossing of the Atlantic Ocean, alone in a kiteboat , between La Palma (Canary Islands) and Martinique (Caribbean), with 20 days, 4 hours and 35 minutes of sailing, completed in December 2021;
  • In 2015, Lufinha set the world record for the longest non-stop kitesurfing distance, covering 874 km (472 nautical miles) in 48 straight hours between Lisbon and Madeira;
  • In 2017, with German Anke Brandt, Lufinha completed a crossing of around 1,646 km, from the Azores to the Portuguese mainland, setting a new world record as a pair.