In an inspiring testament to female grit and determination, Aina Bauza has etched her name in the sailing records. On April 3rd, she became the first woman to set a new solo transatlantic sailing record from Cádiz to San Salvador, aboard her 6.5-meter monohull, Redó. Completing the journey in 30 days, 22 hours, and 34 minutes, Aina navigated the challenging open waters, defying the limitations imposed by both tradition and nature. She hopes her journey will inspire sailors and adventurers worldwide to pursue their dreams. 

Aina spent the last few years training and preparing for this long and challenging solo voyage, accumulating over 20,000 nautical miles in the process. 

Developing a passion for sailing at the age of eight, Aina aspired to compete in the Mini Transat 2023, a solo transatlantic race of 6.5m monohulls focusing on unassisted sailing and adventure. Although only 6.5 meters long, the Mini 6.5 is fast and reliable, ideal for solo transatlantic racing with lightweight hulls, deep keels for stability, and powerful sails for speed. 

Her boat underwent a full renovation, including the installation of solar panels, a hydrogenator, and a Starlink to ensure constant communication with her team onshore. When Aina’s dreams of competing in the Mini Transat didn’t come to fruition, but with her boat ready and up to competitive standards, she sought a new opportunity and felt ready for something bigger. 

“I always dreamed of sailing my boat across the ocean. We had put so much effort and work into getting my boat ready that I didn’t want to let it all go to waste. I was ready for a challenge and decided to do my own, just me and Redó,” Aina said. 

Previous records of Cádiz to San Salvador have been set in trimarans, with Armel Le Cleac’h holding the solo trimaran record at 6 days, 23 hours, 42 minutes since 2014. Aina saw this as an opportunity to showcase her preparation and skills in a solo unassisted challenge on her monohull. Her planned route, the shortest and most direct route, was almost 4,000 nautical miles, just shy of the 4,050 nautical miles covered in the Mini Transat race.  

First challenge 

Just over 500 nautical miles into her record-setting journey, before passing the Canary Islands, Aina faced her first critical challenge: a hole in the deck caused by relentless pressure on the outriggers in extreme weather conditions.  

Realising the gravity of the situation and the risk it imposed of jeopardising the entire record, Aina assessed the problem and decided to attempt a repair in the middle of the ocean. 

“As a sailor, we know that repairs mid-sail are not uncommon, however it is always important to act quickly. In this case, I knew it could cost me the record and force the challenge to stop,” Aina explained. “I decided to repair it in the middle of the sea using a considerable amount of fast-setting epoxy resin to patch up the hole. The damage ultimately was not that bad and so I knew it was safe enough to continue.” 

Aina’s resourcefulness and swift decision-making in that tense moment, along with her master’s degree in Nautical Engineering, is ultimately what allowed her to continue her ambitious challenge towards San Salvador. 

Battling the weather 

Critical weather conditions in the latter part of Aina’s voyage also threatened the record, demanding an alternative route for her safety.  

In constant communication with her ground team, Aina’s meteorologist, Isaac Vila, advised her of worsening weather conditions ahead and suggested a detour. This detour added hundreds of miles to her crossing.  

On a new course traversing the southernmost route in search of trade winds, the journey was nearly 4,800 nautical miles, making it longer than the Mini Transat 2023 race.  

“Had I not needed to take the detour, it certainly wouldn’t have taken as long to get to San Salvador,” Aina commented.  

Mental fortitude  

“I ended up spending 16 days without seeing anyone. It was the longest I had ever gone without seeing human life. It was truly surreal.” 

With 30 days alone at sea and over half of those without any humans in sight, the voyage tested and proved Aina’s mettle. Aboard her small but resilient boat, Redó, equipped with a tracker and satellite connection, she lived the nomadic lifestyle without running water or toilet facilities. Thriving off tinned foods and bottled water, Aina’s first actions upon reaching land were to take a much-needed shower and enjoy a hearty meal.  

“It’s just boat life – eating tinned foods and having no running water. This boat is well and truly my home; I feel so connected with it,” remarked Aina. 

Despite the challenges, Aina’s journey remains an incredible achievement. In a sport traditionally dominated by men, female sailors often find themselves swimming against the tide of limited encouragement and scarce resources.  

In Spain, women make up about 15 to 20% of the whole sailing community. However, with the support of many organisations the tides seem to be changing. Aina had support from numerous organisations that made her journey easier, notably Peters & May, which ensured the safe return of Redó to Europe after setting the record.  

“Aina’s journey is a testament to overcoming immense challenges,” commented Craig Stanbury, Race Director at Peters & May. “Peters & May ensured that all logistical concerns were minimised, allowing her to dedicate her full attention to the sailing obstacles. Our role was to provide seamless support, making the incredible feat she achieved possible.” 

“Sponsoring Aina not only supports her individual achievements but also has a ripple effect on the sailing community. Our involvement helps create a supportive environment that encourages more women to participate in competitive sailing. By backing trailblazers like Aina, Peters & May aims to inspire and cultivate a new generation of sailors.” 

“I sailed alone, but this would not have been possible without the help of my sponsors. Whether it was just knowing others believed in me, or their help which ultimately saved me additional costs, all support had a huge impact,” said Aina.  

“The voyage was easier than I anticipated, and I already have set my sights on a new project, hopefully with a bigger boat. 

Aina’s resilience, dedication, and passion were pivotal to her success, along with the tremendous support from collaborators. It is great to see the evolution of support that the community has for female sailors. Aina demonstrates that no dream is out of reach and her story should empower other women to pursue their aspirations with confidence.