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I’ve made it! Briton, 17, is home after his record solo sail round the world
Benedict Moore-Bridger27.08.09
Boy yachtsman Mike Perham was today celebrating becoming the youngest person to sail around the world single-handed.
Mike, 17, from Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, crossed the finishing line between Lizard Point and Ushant, France, in the 50ft racing yacht Totallymoney.com at 9.55am after his nine-month voyage.
He said jubilantly: “I've made it, I've made my dream come true and it feels amazing. A big big thanks to my dad, mum, all the sponsors and everyone who has helped me along the way.”
His father Peter, who was waiting to greet him, said he was delighted. Mike set off last November and has battled with 50ft waves, gale force winds and technical difficulties during the 30,000-mile voyage.
He originally aimed to complete the challenge non-stop but technical problems forced several stops, so he achieved his world record with assistance. His voyage has taken him via Portugal, the Canaries, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. He went through the Panama Canal after bad weather prevented him rounding Cape Horn.
He left Portsmouth on 15 November last year aged 16 and celebrated his 17th birthday in the South Indian Ocean in March.
He will sail into Gunwharf Quays at Portsmouth on Saturday, having spent 158 days at sea.
Mike was escorted across the finish line today by guard ship HMS Mersey. The First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope, sent a message of congratulations and said: “This is a remarkable and inspirational achievement.”
Reader views (5)
And, meanwhile, the rest of us carried on with our lives in the real world.
- Jock, London
"There´s a Dutch girl named Laura Dekker, not yet 14, planning the same trip" For the sake of national pride, we must stop this by any means. This whole record breaking thing is absurd, but the feat in itself however old you might be is amazing. What more could you do to define your character and demonstrate you've got the most amazing mettle. Take the emphasise off 'competition' and respect the achievement for all that it is.
- Geek Freak, Paris, Texas
Congratulations, I remember young Mike giving an interview before he sailed.
- Mrs, London UK
He's not a boy - he's a man! His country expects him to pay income tax from 16 and can send him off to war at 17: this was the normal age for thousands of years to go off and prove yourself or to prepare to have a family. A couple of decades of luvvies miscasting themselves in historical dramas to be 10 or 20 years older than the character actually would have been has obfuscated the fact that until 50 years ago most great achievers did things when they were what we now regard as very young.
I think he is an excellent role model for teenagers to show what they can really do if they don't let middle-aged fogues trying to cling to their youth dictate that they mustn't start life until they've left some pointless university. What brilliant parents, too, for encouraging him!
- Roz, France
Congratulations Mike, but watch your tail. There´s a Dutch girl named Laura Dekker, not yet 14, planning the same trip. She has permsission from her parents, but the Dutch courts may try to stop her.
- Graham Rodhouse, Helmond, Netherlands
