Southern California teen to complete record-setting solo sail around world in Marina Del Rey

By Shaya Tayefe Mohajer, AP
Thursday, July 16, 2009

Teen set to complete record solo sail around world

MARINA DEL REY, Calif. — After more than a year at sea, Southern California teenager Zac Sunderland is closing in on a world record to become the youngest person to sail around the world alone.

The 17-year-old’s family and friends are planning to celebrate his return from the 28,000-mile trip after his boat docks Thursday morning in Marina Del Rey.

During the trip, Sunderland braved encounters with pirates and storms aboard his 36-foot boat Intrepid.

But the shaggy-haired Thousand Oaks, Calif., native might not have the record for long. British sailor Mike Perham is a few months younger than Sunderland, and is sailing a bigger, faster boat.

The record is currently held by an Australian who was over 18 when he completed the voyage in 1996.

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