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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
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| Young sailor sets global record | Young sailor sets global record |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A 17-year-old boy has become the youngest person to sail solo around the world after entering UK waters. | A 17-year-old boy has become the youngest person to sail solo around the world after entering UK waters. |
| Mike Perham, from Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, has tackled 50ft waves, gale force winds and technical problems during a 30,000-mile circumnavigation. | Mike Perham, from Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, has tackled 50ft waves, gale force winds and technical problems during a 30,000-mile circumnavigation. |
| He left Portsmouth, Hampshire, on 15 November 2008 and celebrated his 17th birthday on the Indian Ocean in March. | He left Portsmouth, Hampshire, on 15 November 2008 and celebrated his 17th birthday on the Indian Ocean in March. |
| His record was set when he crossed a line between Lizard Point and Ushant in France at 0947 BST. | His record was set when he crossed a line between Lizard Point and Ushant in France at 0947 BST. |
| 'Very honoured' | |
| Falmouth Coastguards confirmed he had crossed the finish line at Lizard Point, off the Cornish coast. | Falmouth Coastguards confirmed he had crossed the finish line at Lizard Point, off the Cornish coast. |
| That means that, subject to verification, he has set a new world record as the youngest person to sail solo around the world. | That means that, subject to verification, he has set a new world record as the youngest person to sail solo around the world. |
| Mike, who is aged 17 years and 164 days, was escorted across the finish line by the Royal Navy guard ship HMS Mersey. | Mike, who is aged 17 years and 164 days, was escorted across the finish line by the Royal Navy guard ship HMS Mersey. |
| He said: "I've made it, I've made my dream come true and it feels amazing. | He said: "I've made it, I've made my dream come true and it feels amazing. |
| "I can't believe that the Royal Navy sent HMS Mersey and a helicopter to witness my crossing the line. I feel very honoured." | "I can't believe that the Royal Navy sent HMS Mersey and a helicopter to witness my crossing the line. I feel very honoured." |
| His father, Peter, said: "Mike is a very special son. He has done incredibly well. | His father, Peter, said: "Mike is a very special son. He has done incredibly well. |
| "He has shown that with determination, you can succeed even in the most adverse circumstances. | "He has shown that with determination, you can succeed even in the most adverse circumstances. |
| "He has shown the world that he is an extraordinary young man and an inspiration to us all." | "He has shown the world that he is an extraordinary young man and an inspiration to us all." |
| Joined by father | Joined by father |
| The First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope, sent a message to the teenager on his success. | The First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope, sent a message to the teenager on his success. |
| He said: "This is a remarkable and inspirational achievement in one so young. | He said: "This is a remarkable and inspirational achievement in one so young. |
| "Michael's family have strong maritime connections. His father was a merchant naval officer, his grandfather served with the Royal Navy during the Second World War, and his great-grandfather was a Royal Marine in the Crimean war. | "Michael's family have strong maritime connections. His father was a merchant naval officer, his grandfather served with the Royal Navy during the Second World War, and his great-grandfather was a Royal Marine in the Crimean war. |
| "The Royal Navy is delighted to participate in welcoming him back home to the UK as an honoured and much-respected fellow seafarer." | "The Royal Navy is delighted to participate in welcoming him back home to the UK as an honoured and much-respected fellow seafarer." |
| I just always look forward. You've got to have confidence in yourself that you will make it Mike Perham | I just always look forward. You've got to have confidence in yourself that you will make it Mike Perham |
| After crossing the finish line, Mike was joined by his father to continue sailing back for a homecoming welcome at Portsmouth on Saturday. | After crossing the finish line, Mike was joined by his father to continue sailing back for a homecoming welcome at Portsmouth on Saturday. |
| Mike originally set off aiming to complete the challenge non-stop but technical problems forced several stay overs, meaning his world record is the youngest solo circumnavigation with assistance. | Mike originally set off aiming to complete the challenge non-stop but technical problems forced several stay overs, meaning his world record is the youngest solo circumnavigation with assistance. |
| According to Guinness World Records, the youngest person to circumnavigate the globe, sailing solo, non-stop and unsupported is Jesse Martin, of Australia. | According to Guinness World Records, the youngest person to circumnavigate the globe, sailing solo, non-stop and unsupported is Jesse Martin, of Australia. |
| He sailed in Lionheart from Melbourne, Australia, on 8 December 1998 aged 18 years 104 days and returned on October 31 1999, taking 327 days 12hrs 52 mins. | He sailed in Lionheart from Melbourne, Australia, on 8 December 1998 aged 18 years 104 days and returned on October 31 1999, taking 327 days 12hrs 52 mins. |
| Thrilled and frightened | Thrilled and frightened |
| Craig Glenday, editor-in-chief of Guinness World Records, said earlier: "Even the most experienced of sailors would be tested by the mental and physical stamina required to achieve a record of this magnitude. | Craig Glenday, editor-in-chief of Guinness World Records, said earlier: "Even the most experienced of sailors would be tested by the mental and physical stamina required to achieve a record of this magnitude. |
| "Mike achieved it at a young age and this is a testament to his courage and unparalleled sense of adventure." | "Mike achieved it at a young age and this is a testament to his courage and unparalleled sense of adventure." |
| Solo sailor's world route | |
| On his way towards his achievement, Mike said: "It's beginning to sink in what I've done. | On his way towards his achievement, Mike said: "It's beginning to sink in what I've done. |
| "I just always look forward. You've got to have confidence in yourself that you will make it." | "I just always look forward. You've got to have confidence in yourself that you will make it." |
| The family back home, father Peter, mother Heather and older sister Fiona, say they have been equally thrilled and frightened during Mike's adventure. | The family back home, father Peter, mother Heather and older sister Fiona, say they have been equally thrilled and frightened during Mike's adventure. |
| Mike's arrival comes as controversy has arisen in Holland where social workers have taken legal action to try to stop 13-year-old Laura Dekker from setting off to break the same record. | Mike's arrival comes as controversy has arisen in Holland where social workers have taken legal action to try to stop 13-year-old Laura Dekker from setting off to break the same record. |
| They want to make her a ward of court to prevent her parents from being able to give her the go-ahead to undertake the challenge. | They want to make her a ward of court to prevent her parents from being able to give her the go-ahead to undertake the challenge. |