<P> The first around the world sailing record for circumnavigation of the world was Juan Sebastián Elcano and the remaining members of Ferdinand Magellan's crew who completed their journey in 1522 . The first solo record was set by Joshua Slocum in the Spray (1898). </P> <P> Most races or solo attempts start from Europe . Due to the configuration of the continents, sailing around the world consists in sailing on the Southern Ocean around the Antarctica continent, passing south of Cape Horn, Cape of Good Hope and Cape Leeuwin . Since 1918 the Panama Canal is an option but the locks must be entered and exited using engine power . Large stretches of the canal can be crossed under sail power . </P>

Who is the fastest person to have sailed around the world single-handed