Zac Sunderland's World Record Denied?

Zac Sunderland recently became the youngest person to sail solo (with stops) around the globe. But according to whom? A world record implies that the attempt was recorded by a trustworthy authority, yet for Zac Sunderland’s voyage, there was no such record-keeping. During his trip, Sunderland stopped at many ports to relax and make repairs to his boat, thus taking him out of the running for both the non-stop and unassisted categories. Additionally, Zac occasionally used his motor when pulling into or out of port, and was assisted when crossing the Panama Canal. Does this mean he didn’t actually sail around the globe?



In 1996, Australian David Dicks attempted to be the youngest to sail solo, unassisted and nonstop, around the world. He departed at the age of 17 and sailed for 9 months, yet because he was given a bolt to repair his rigging near the Falkland Islands, his voyage did not count as unassisted and he was disqualified. He was thus given the unofficial title of youngest solo circumnavigator. In 1998, another Australian and the recognized record holder, Jesse Martin, set out at the age of 17 on an eleven-month voyage, returning in 1999 and becoming the youngest person to sail solo, unassisted and non-stop, around the globe.

Source: Sail Magazine