Around the globe at 17 and 13 years old?

17 year-old British sailor Mike Perham is on the verge of becoming the world's youngest solo circumnavigator, as his 50ft yacht Totallymoney.com is fast approaching the finish line.



Where is Mike?
Today, on august the 25th, mike is just four days away from his goal; Gunwharf Quays. Click on the map to view the route he has followed and to track Mike during these last few exiting days.[/columns]



Dolphins and Whales
Last week Mike Perham was "escorted" by over fifty dolphins and even some whales, when he was en route to Lisbon.



The Challenges
Mike faced strong winds and big waves in the Pacific.
Closer to home mike recently slowed down and diverted course to avoid the rapidly-approaching Hurricane Bill, with a big smile as the young adventurer likes a big wave, some where over 45 feet!



Next up; 13 year-old Laura Dekker?
The 13-year-old Laura Dekker is planning to leave on September 1st for a solo sailing trip around the world. If she is successful, she'll be the new youngest solo sailor. Born on a boat in New Zealand, she dreams of sailing since childhood. Laura likes to do rather then to dream, so those dreams do not last long.
At six she sailed alone on a lake. Then a lake is big enough, as big as the sea it seems, but at her tenth it became too small. Behind the North Sea lies her real
dream, the world.



Where does it stop?
Sailing is great fun, but is a 13 year old capable of facing the challenges of little sleep, solitude, storms and the other perils at sea? If Laura Dekker is allowed to start on her world journey it's a question that shouldn't be taken lightly. Currently there is a lawsuit that prevents her from leaving, even the Dutch government is involved as they claim she should stay in school to evolve socially and intellectually like other children of her age. Mike Perham crossed the Atlantic in 2004 at the age of 14. Where lies the boundary?