A controversial New Zealand-born yachtswoman is set to start her round-the-world voyage in July or August -- potentially in time to snatch the record for youngest circumnavigation from two 16-year-old girls already halfway across the globe.
Laura Dekker, born on a yacht in New Zealand 14 years ago, has bought a new boat for her voyage, Yachting Monthly reported on its website.
She was last year forbidden by a family court in her Dutch home town from sailing before July 1, because she was regarded as too young.
Dekker has bought an 11m Gin Fizz yacht, a fibreglass ketch which she is preparing for her journey. She has called the yacht Guppy, and plans to take two years to get round the world.
Her plans may be a dampener for two older girls already part way round the world.
Australian Jessica Watson -- the daughter of two New Zealanders -- is halfway across the Indian Ocean. She is about 18,000 nautical miles and five months into her journey and hoping to return to Sydney by the middle of May. Californian Abby Sunderland, is in the Pacific Ocean and heading for Cape Horn.
Both these girls are trying to become the youngest person to solo circumnavigate non-stop, and the magazine said Watson could set the record only to have it broken by Sunderland a few months later, and then it could pass to Dekker, who could still arrive home younger than either of the other girls.
