Well, I wonder out of how many teenagers across all the continent, sailing all alone around the world would be an ideal idea for a long holiday. Yes, I know its no child’s play but the a 16-year-old lad from Los Angeles is just on his way to make it a reality. Zac Sunderland from US hopes to break the record of solo sailing around the world, earlier set by David Dicks from Australia (he was 18 years, 41 day old then). Zac is all set to pull the ropes today from Marina Del Rey, California and make the yearlong journey in his private 36ft boat, which he bought with his own savings and become the youngest person to sail alone around the world. The young voyager’s route has been chalked out, beginning from Marina Del Rey, his first stop will be the Marshall Islands, 4,000 miles (6,437km) away. Then Zac would take the challenging 40,000-mile (64,400-km) route across the Pacific to Papua New Guinea and Australia and from there across the Indian Ocean to Mauritius and Madagascar. On completion of this stage, Zac would find himself routing around the Cape of Good Hope to the South Atlantic ocean and then finally steering through the Panama Canal and heading north back to California. Phew!
Like every intelligent navigator, Zac too knows every inch of his boat and also that ‘if you fall in, you’re pretty much gone’. His only companion on his voyage would be an iridium phone that will allow him to speak to his friends and family and send e-mails. A High School student, Zac will sleep in a narrow bunk, in case of stormy seas and will survive on freeze-dried food and fish he catches on the way. Born to a sailor’s family, with his parents already cruised the Pacific for three years with their young family, fully support their son’s dream without any doubts about any kind of mishappening. He is expected to returns before January 2010 to beat the current record. We wish him all the luck. Bon Voyage!
Via: BBC
Comments
Solo sailing around the world is a challenging task in itself. A 16-year old daring to break the record is indeed greatly admirable. No doubt Zac is an intelligent navigator, but we should salute to his self-confidence that motivates him to do so.
We can imagine how dangerous the sea becomes at the time of storm and heavy rainfall. 40,000-mile rout may carry many a story with it.
A very challenging game. Though I don’t have that much strength to do a solo sailing. That’s why I 100% salute to this teenager who set a record.
___________________
brochure printing
interesting
Hey guys! sailing around the world solo?? wow!
im not doing somthing as big as that but in may i am taking part in the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge. Its my first sailing race and i will be regualary posting for the two months it will take to get across on my blog at stowedaway.wordpress.com
check it out if u r interested!
cheers
Wow, this guy is someting else. What an adventure!
Even if this guy does make it, there is a 15 year old ’GIRL’ about to start a solo attempt in Australia!
From Australia we wish you well Zac. Our own Jessica Watson is currently in the southern ocean on her attempt to sail solo around the world. She is also 16 years old and doing an amazing job.