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Word was out that 13 year-old Laura Dekker was about to challenge Mike Perham’s world record, even as 17 year old completed his round the world solo sail.
Becoming the youngest person to solo circumnavigate the globe, with assistance, Perham sailed in an Open 50 foot racing yacht. He claimed the record off Thousand Oaks sailor Zac Sunderland, who was also 17. Sunderland sailed a 36 foot Islander. “Hopefully Mike has inspired numerous young people to go and live life to the full,” Mike’s father said.
The attempt by Dekker to circumnavigate the globe unaccompanied in her 26 foot yacht has provoked questions in the Dutch parliament. A storm of controversy rages over the contemplated solo attempt, splitting Holland in two, because of Dekker’s age.
In a bid to prevent the ‘risky venture’ Child-protection agency officials went to court. Dekker’s father says he has created a trip in such a way it would not put his daughter at sea for any more than 21 days at a time.
As Laura has New Zealand citizenship, it was rumored she intended to leave Holland with her father, so as to bypass the proposed ban on her solo voyage. Laura was ordered into custody for two months, by judges in Utrecht, in order to make sure the around-the-world trip will be definitely cancelled for now. Laura has been allowed to remain living with her father.
Fearing that such long-term isolation would be harmful at this point in time in a young teenager’s progress, Laura’s mental capacity is to be evaluated by independent child psychologists. They fear the risks could prove too much for her mental and physical capabilities.
Laura’s proposed plans were backed by sponsorship deals. However, Marja van Bijsterveldt-
Laura was born on a yacht off the coast of New Zealand and at six years of age was sailing her own Optimist. She sailed solo to England, earlier this year where authorities briefly detained her, telling her father to sail her home. Dick Dekker flew to England, but Laura eventually sailed home alone.
A further court ruling will be made in two months time. Meanwhile, Australian Jessica Watson, aged 16 and Zac Sunderland’s sister, also 16, both plan to set sail for a nonstop try at the record.
Dr Wendy Stenberg-Tendys and her husband are CEO's of YouMe Support Foundation (http://youmesupport.org) provide high school education grants for children who are without hope. You can help in this really great project by taking a few minutes to check it the Tropical Island Treasure Chest at Win a Resort (http://winaresort.com) It really will change your life.
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