Laura Dekker, youngest solo round-the-world sailor

Laura Dekker, born in the Netherlands, 14 years, will start this Wednesday her global circumnavigate and sail for Portugal from where she will launch her bid to become the youngest person to sail around the world solo.

Dutch authorities, however, have opposed this plan in view of her age initiating an international discussion about the rights of the government. In July 2010, the Dutch court announced that she is allowed to sail the world solo.

Laura will start sailing from the Netherlands on August 4th, 2010 headed for Lisbon, Portugal, around 1000 nm. But this will not be part of the solo circumnavigation, as she will have other people on board. The voyage to Portugal will include boat testing and boat training for her. After adjusting any problems that has shown up, she will start solo from Lisbon at a later date. Her first stop will then be Madeira island.

Laura Dekker’s website