Seventeen-Year Old Sailor Goes Round The World, Creates History

Insync

oi-Staff

By Staff

Thursday, August 27, 2009, 17:20

Battling out storms and gusty winds for over nine months, a British teenager is all set to become the youngest person to sail solo round globe when he arrives back this week.

A journey that Mike Perham started Portsmouth Harbour took him round the world nine months ago, had him dodging 50 foot high waves, howling gales and a near capsize. But this week when the 17-year-old Briton returns, his grueling endeavor would surely grant him a place in the world records.

Young Perham covered 30,000 miles on a 50 foot boat, and currently is on his way home. Given the fact that the young sailor was doing a solo journey, while at times getting barely any sleep, it is downright a matter of achievement, about which Perham says, " It's beginning to sink in what I've done and I'm feeling very proud of myself and the people who have helped me make this happen."

However, he adds, "It does get lonely - no doubt about it. But that's part of the challenge. I'm probably used to it now and I just always look forward (to do more sailing)".

Teen sailor, Perham first entered the Guinness book two years ago, when at 14 he became the youngest sailor to cross the Atlantic on his own.

Making his return tour, the young man would be sailing through Lizard Point, Cornwall, and Ushant, a French island off Brittany to reach the finish lines, Perham adds, "You've got to have confidence in yourself that you will make it."

At the present the record is held by 17-old American Zac Sunderland but that would soon change as Perham is three-months younger than Zac.

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