Teen solo sailor sets off on epic journey
Dutch sailor Laura Dekker, 14, has set sail for after winning a year-long battle with child welfare authorities worried over her ambition to become the youngest person to sail solo around the world.
She set off from Den Osse in southwestern Netherlands on her 11.5-metre ketch Guppy, sailing initially with her father to complete final preparations before starting the official solo part of her journey in September.
Asked whether she was concerned about encountering pirates on-route, she said that by sailing with many other yachts, she was happy she would be safe.
04 Aug 2010
- From the section Europe