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Hero's welcome for young sailor Hero's welcome for young sailor
(about 3 hours later)
Hundreds of people are set to welcome home sailor Mike Perham when he returns after completing his round-the-world voyage later. Teenage sailor Mike Perham received a hero's welcome when he returned back to the UK after becoming the youngest person to circumnavigate the world.
The 17-year-old became the youngest person to circumnavigate the world solo with assistance when he crossed the finishing line on Thursday. The 17-year-old arrived to cheers from hundreds of people who gathered at Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth, where he set off in November last year.
Mike, from Potters Bar, Herts, is set to sail his yacht into Portsmouth, where he set off from last November. Mike, from Potters Bar, Herts, crossed the finish line between Lizard Point and Ushant, France, on Thursday.
As he arrived back, he said: "It's incredible. Absolutely incredible."
He added: "I always knew I could do it."
During the 30,000-mile voyage he battled gales and 50ft waves.During the 30,000-mile voyage he battled gales and 50ft waves.
Mike Perham sets a fine example to young people today - his record-breaking achievement adds immensely to this country's distinguished maritime heritage Lieutenant Tim Leeder Mike's Open 50 racing yacht Totallymoney.com was escorted into Portsmouth's Gunwharf Quays by the Royal Navy patrol vessel HMS Puncher.
His Open 50 racing yacht Totallymoney.com will be escorted into Portsmouth's Gunwharf Quays by the Royal Navy patrol vessel HMS Puncher. Commanding Officer Lieutenant Tim Leeder said: "Mike Perham sets a fine example to young people today - his record-breaking achievement adds immensely to this country's distinguished maritime heritage."
Commanding Officer Lieutenant Tim Leeder said: "It's imperative that, as an island nation, we must support and applaud inspirational maritime ventures such as Mike Perham's magnificent achievement. Technical problems
"Mike Perham sets a fine example to young people today - his record-breaking achievement adds immensely to this country's distinguished maritime heritage."
Mike set off aiming to complete the challenge non-stop, but several technical problems halted the voyage, meaning his world record is the youngest solo circumnavigation with assistance.Mike set off aiming to complete the challenge non-stop, but several technical problems halted the voyage, meaning his world record is the youngest solo circumnavigation with assistance.
He was 16 when he set off from Portsmouth and celebrated his 17th birthday in the South Indian Ocean on March 16.He was 16 when he set off from Portsmouth and celebrated his 17th birthday in the South Indian Ocean on March 16.
To satisfy the requirements of the world record, the solo circumnavigation has to cross the equator and every line of longitude.To satisfy the requirements of the world record, the solo circumnavigation has to cross the equator and every line of longitude.
Atlantic voyage
The previous youngest to complete a similar voyage was American Zac Sunderland who was two months older than Mike when he completed his voyage last month.The previous youngest to complete a similar voyage was American Zac Sunderland who was two months older than Mike when he completed his voyage last month.
But it will not be the first world record set by Mike. In January 2007 he became the youngest person to sail solo across the Atlantic at the age of 14. Jesse Martin, of Australia, is recognised by Guinness World Records as the youngest person to circumnavigate the globe, sailing solo, non-stop and unsupported, aged 18 years 104 days when he set off from Melbourne on December 8, 1998, taking 327 days 12hrs 52 mins.
According to Guinness World Records, the youngest person to circumnavigate the globe, sailing solo, non-stop and unsupported, is Jesse Martin, of Australia, who sailed in Lionheart from Melbourne on December 8 1998 aged 18 years 104 days and returned on October 31 1999, taking 327 days 12hrs 52 mins.
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