Vela 500-miles: Dan Lenard’s New Record Attempt Sets Sail from Dubrovnik on June 14

Dan Lenard is once again aiming to break a Guinness World Record: 500 nautical miles under sail, solo, unassisted, and without anchoring.
The renowned designer and sailor had already come within 220 nautical miles on his first attempt — just 63 miles shy of the official record of 283 — before a storm forced him to abandon the challenge.

Now, in 2025 and at the age of 57, Lenard returns with an even more ambitious goal: to complete 500 nautical miles solo, without any assistance and without anchoring, sleeping aboard a small sailboat equipped with all necessary supplies packed and secured in advance. An extreme challenge fully aligned with the Vela Code philosophy — the ecological and educational movement that Lenard founded and actively promotes.

The attempt, named Vela 500-miles, is scheduled to depart from Dubrovnik on June 14, 2025, coinciding with the E1 SERIES races hosted in the same city. Weather permitting, Lenard will sail autonomously, tracing his course in open sea while providing real-time updates thanks to an onboard satellite tracking system.

The public will be able to follow his journey online via the official channels of both the sailor and the foundation.

As outlined in the Vela Code manifesto, the entire voyage will be zero-impact: no engine, no emissions, and no single-use plastic. Drinking water will be stored in reusable containers, and no PET bottles will be carried aboard. This choice reflects the project’s educational mission: to raise awareness within the nautical community and to promote sustainable onboard practices while bearing witness to the state of our oceans.

Supporting Lenard in fine-tuning the boat is Slovenian sailing legend Vasilij Žbogar, a three-time Olympic medalist and five-time Olympian. His technical expertise adds further value to the attempt and underscores the initiative’s seriousness.

This feat is part of a larger communication campaign led by the Vela Code Movement. In the coming months, the foundation will launch a series of global initiatives using the sailing vessel Vela — formerly Telefonica Black from the Volvo Ocean Race — which now serves as an ambassador for the movement’s core principles.

Also forthcoming is Dan Lenard’s autobiographical book, chronicling his solo transatlantic crossing, the experience that planted the seed for the Vela Code. The book is expected to inspire sailors, owners, and ocean lovers alike, reinforcing the urgency of ocean preservation through authentic first-hand narratives.

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