Please select your home edition
Edition
Switch One Design

Laura Dekker, 16-year-old super solo sailor, on her final leg

by Nancy Knudsen on 16 Dec 2011
Capetown goodbye - photo from Jetsetting Magazine SW
Laura Dekker, Dutch/New Zealander 16-year-old solo sailor, who is circumnavigating the globe in her 38ft Jeanneau Ginfizz ketch, Guppy, has left Cape Town on the last long leg across the Atlantic which, all going well, will complete her circumnavigation.

Reaching Sint Maarten in the Caribbean, which she left on 5th January 2011, will make her the world's youngest ever circumnavigator.

However, a vicarious association with Laura over a long period of time (she first hit the headlines when she sailed the English Channel at the age of 13 and on arrival was promptly deposited in a Children's Home) suggests that the adventure she has undertaken is much more about the journey and less about the glory.

The voyage she has now undertaken, perhaps with stops at islands along the way is a journey of some 4000 nautical miles and perhaps the most challenging. (See map and apologies for the art work - Laura is not likely to clip off the edge of South America.) Her yacht Guppy has performed creditably along the journey with little serious trouble since she left Gibraltar in September 2010.

This does not mean that her journey has been any easy one. She has battled storms and high winds, long periods of serious sleep deprivation and blown out sails. 'On the one leg I blew my Genoa and Main sail which was challenging as I limped to the next port so I could get up and running again.'

The proven sturdiness of Guppy can be thanks to the work she and her father put into making her strong enough for the long miles she was planning. 'I picked Guppy up incredibly cheap, she was a wreck. With a lot of help from my dad, we did her up to the magnificent ocean crossing vessel that she is today.'

It is perhaps not so strange that Laura has taken to a sea life. As she recounted in a recent interview with Sophie Thompson of East Coast Radio, 'When I was five my Dad packed my family up and we set sail from Whangarei in New Zealand, where I was born. We sailed all the way to Holland on my father’s boat. I believe that I am a doer and when I get an idea in my head, I usually strive to achieve it.'

Laura has been in Cape Town for several days, enjoying some leisure time and stocking up for this one last leg of her circumnavigation - but not the last leg of her journey. Once she reaches the Caribbean, she will continue through the Panama Canal for a second time and head back to New Zealand, which she missed last time round.

'I will make my way back to Whangarei in New Zealand where I hope to settle and maybe call home.'

Right now, after negotiating shipping channels and a very windy start from Capetown ('and the wind was from the wrong direction' she complained on her blog,) she is now becalmed until the next system passes through. 'I know the first 500nm will not be easy sailing', she says, but, in her typical low-key response, seems relaxed about 'toughing it out.'

Bon Voyage Laura!

To follow Laura's blog, go to her English language http://www.lauradekker.nl/English/Home.html!website.
................................

Did you like this article? If you are not a Sail-World subscriber already, did you know that you can keep up with all the news from the world of the cruising sailor with a weekly news hit? It's totally free, as all our income is from the advertisers.

Once you subscribe, all the non-racing news comes to you in one easy to read news magazine, right to your inbox. AND it's up to date, so you don't have to wait for the end of the month to find out what's going on. You can even subscribe a friend. http://www.sail-world.com/Cruising/international/newsletter_subscribe.cfm!Click_here_now!

Rooster 2025Selden 2020 - FOOTERMaritimo S Series

Related Articles

Craig Wood Makes History
The first triple amputee to sail solo non-stop and unsupported across the Pacific Craig is the first triple amputee to sail solo non-stop and unsupported across the Pacific, completing the 7506nm journey from Mexico to Japan in 90 days.
Posted today at 4:30 pm
NTG Global Graduate Program
Shape your career and propel yourself into the world of innovation North Technology Group, a global leader in advanced composite technology, is offering an exciting and dynamic graduate program that will shape your career and propel you into the world of innovation.
Posted today at 3:00 pm
Tight racing at ORC North American Championship
Two days of racing remain before titles awarded in three classes With three days of racing completed over 7 Windward-Leeward courses, the scorelines are filling up for all three classes competing in the first ORC North American Championship at Storm Trysail Club's Block Island Race Week.
Posted today at 1:16 pm
Introducing Ocean Legend
Vaikobi's range of lifestyle clothing Introducing Ocean Legend; Vaikobi's range of lifestyle clothing inspired by the stoke and the stories of those who live and breathe ocean sports.
Posted today at 4:37 am
WASZP brings the heat at Foiling Week 2025
Four epic days of classic Ora conditions Malcesine turned it on once again for Foiling Week, with four epic days of classic Ora conditions and a record 131 WASZPs hitting the start line - the biggest WASZP fleet ever at the event!
Posted today at 4:11 am
31st Block Island Race Week Day 3
Soaring temperatures on Risk Strategies Race Day Risk Strategies Race Day at Block Island Race Week featured another day of champagne conditions and soaring temperatures. To give sailors a brief reprieve, the Race Committee called for an "early" end to racing (only 2 long races instead of 3).
Posted on 25 Jun
Can a maxi achieve the Rolex Fastnet Race triple?
The fight to claim the prestigious monohull line honours prize is lining up to be a tough one The fight to claim the prestigious monohull line honours prize in the centenary edition of the Royal Ocean Racing Club's Rolex Fastnet Race is lining up to be a tough one between the world's fastest 100ft maxi yachts.
Posted on 25 Jun
Kieler Woche Day 6
Double gold for France in Olympic classes Perfect sailing conditions marked the final of Kieler Woche in the Olympic skiff, dinghy, and surf classes: On Wednesday, June 25, the waters off Schilksee offered fresh to strong, challenging winds with flat waves.
Posted on 25 Jun
iQFOiL International Games at Kiel Overall
Kieler Woche delivers spectacular medal series showdown ahead of Aarhus Worlds The 3rd iQFOiL International Games at Kieler Woche came to a thrilling close today, with a full day of Medal Series racing under spectacular conditions.
Posted on 25 Jun
44Cup Marstrand 2025 day 1
Peninsula Racing and Team Nika share the limelight After a gale forced the cancellation of yesterday's practice racing, for day one of the 44Cup Marstrand, taking place off the familiar Swedish paradise island, there was a west to northwesterly that built as the afternoon progressed, to 17 knots.
Posted on 25 Jun