Abby Sunderland 16 Year Old Sailor Update and More
Young Sailor Found Alive, Awaiting Rescue and Other Young World Record Holders
Abby Sunderland is the 16 year old girl attempting to break a world record and sail around the world. Sunderland's boat was reported to be in distress on June 10th while she sailed through heavy seas in the southern part of the Indian Ocean. Sunderland has been documenting her journey on her website and blog on a daily basis. You can read her blog here.
On June 11th, Abby was reported to be alive and well, if not a bit battered. Her sail boat hit the rough seas during a storm. Abby's brother, Zac Sunderland, reported to KNX radio in Los Angeles, "The boat is most likely not completely submerged because there's another alarm that sends off a signal if it goes 15 feet underwater." Abby's last blog post stated that she was in rough waters with winds reaching 40-45 knots and higher with gusts.
A plane sent from Quantas air field in Australia located Abby Sunderland. They have been communicating with her and have found that she is alive and well. She has no power but enough food and water to last quite some time. A rescue is expected by boat in the next 48 hours.
Abby Sunderland Does Not Break Record
Abby's attempt to break the world record was cut short because of the weather and harsh seas. Still holding the spot for youngest person to sail around the world is Jesse Martin who started her journey at age 16 and set the record in 1999 at age 18. (Source: Australian Teen Sets Record)
Other Young World Record Breakers
Some parents and adults may be wondering why anyone would let their 16 year old attempt such a dangerous mission to sail around the world solo, nonstop and unassisted. I don't know if there is an answer to that question. However, we wouldn't have these world record holders, if their parents didn't let them try:
Jordan Romero, age 13, when he climbed Mount Everest.
Jimmy Haywood, age 11, when he set a world aviation record for being the youngest person to fly a plane on a round-trip international flight.
Kenny Roy, age 14, when he became the worlds youngest African American licensed pilot to fly a plane solo from California to Canada.
Sources:
Published by Linda StCyr
Linda St.Cyr has been a featured contributor for Associated Content from Yahoo!, she is the author of several short stories including the story "Leaving" published in the anthology collection, Elements of Ti... View profile
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6 Comments
Post a CommentGot to wonder about her parents for letting her go out there.
Excellent reporting. :)
Glad she's safe. It sounds like the problem was she went at the wrong time of year, when big storms are happening in the Indian Ocean. Perhaps if she had gone at a time to avoid the storms, she would have succeeded.
I wasn't even allowed to cross the street on my own until I was 10!
Heard this happy news. Maybe her parents will think twice next time.
Glad she's OK, but I hope her parents have to pay for the rescue.