While Sunshine Coast teenager Jessica Watson is half way across the Indian Ocean and on the home run, and Californian Abby Sunderland is in the ‘roaring’ 40′s in the Pacific Ocean and heading for Cape Horn, another still younger teenager is preparing for her own circumnavigation.
14-year-old Dutch girl Laura Dekker, forbidden by a children’s court from sailing until 1st July, has purchased a new boat for her own proposed circumnavigation which she has confirmed she plans to commence in July or August. Laura has purchased a Jeanneau Gin Fizz, an older style and fairly inexpensive but highly regarded ketch which she is preparing for her journey. Laura has called the yacht Guppy, like her earlier yacht, and is planning a two-year cruising voyage around the world.
While the Gin Fizz is now out of production, the French-built yacht has a fine reputation as a solid and reliable cruising yacht. Laura’s new boat is 37-foot aft-cockpit fibreglass ketch designed by Philippe Harlé. It was produced from 1974 to 1980.
Read the full story here: http://www.sail-world.com/UK/Another-competitor-for-Jessica-Watson/67624
