Jasmine Harrison completes globe-trotting journey with record solo sail
Thirsk sailor makes history finishing Mini Globe Race, crossing 26,000 nautical miles
Jasmine Harrison, a world record holder, sailor, rower, and swimmer, has achieved a historic milestone, completing the Mini Globe Race and becoming the first British woman to circumnavigate the globe solo in the smallest boat known to have made such a voyage.
After departing from Falmouth Harbour, Antigua in 2025, Jasmine sailed for 381 days and covered 26,000 nautical miles, returning to Antigua on 11th March 2026 in her homemade plywood yacht, Numbatou, measuring just 5.8 meters.
Since her journey began from Lagos, Portugal in December 2024, she navigated four oceans, stopping in fifteen countries, with Jasmine as one of only two female sailors to enter the race.
The race witnessed challenges including storms, torn sails, equipment failures, pirates, and marine pollution.
Creature comforts were minimal, with solar panels providing power and limited fresh food on board, as Jasmine managed to sleep in brief intervals amidst steering Numbatou across vast oceans.
Despite the hardships, inspiring highs embraced the journey—interactions with dolphins, whales, and turtles, alongside worldwide hospitality and the camaraderie of fellow Mini Globe Race sailors during radio and phone calls.
Upon crossing the finish line, Jasmine shared her reflections: "I’m relieved to have finished but also sad that’s it’s over. It’s been an incredible journey... To think that I’ve sailed solo around the world, across four oceans is surreal."
She says her journey underscores a powerful message: "It shows that if you really want to do a challenge then anything is possible, and it’s only by trying that you can succeed."