Teen Circumnavigators Update

by Lisa Mylchreest on 20 Mar 2009 British teenager Michael Perham and Californian teenager Zac Sunderland, now both seventeen, are separately embarked on solo circumnavigations of the world, and both are doing well.

Michael is in the Southern Indian Ocean, over half way from Captown in South Africa to Australia, and doing over 200 miles a day in his 50ft racing yacht TotallyMoney. His circumnavigation is from west to east, which gives him speed and a following wind when taking a route concentrating on the Southern Ocean

Zac has just set out from St Helena, crossing the Atlantic and heading for South America and the Caribbean, sailing his 36ft small cruising boat Intrepid. His circumnavigation is from east to west, giving him better following winds for most of the journey when staying in the lower latitudes.

Zac's journey was hampered by an engine breakdown just after setting out from St Helena, necessitating a return to port and delaying him four days to get it righted.

If either of these teenagers achieve the record as the youngest to sail around the world (Zac must reach his home port in California more than 108 days earlier than Mike reaches Britain, as he is 108 days older), they may not hold the record long.

There are a couple of other teenagers about to set out for their own circumnavigations:

Jessica Watson, who is planning a departure at the end of this year, is setting out to become the youngest person to sail solo non-stop and unassisted around the World, something that neither Mike nor Zac can compete with, as both have already stopped multiple times. She is currently only 15, so it will be interesting to watch this brave and determined young Australian.

Ryan Langley, who is planning a departure around September this year is 16 years old and his journey too is planned to be non-stop and unassisted. This American teenager is planning to spend 8-11 months on the west-to-east journey, and is 'looking forward' to spending 4-5 months in the Southern Ocean.