DutchNews.nl - Laura Dekker and dad sail off to Portugal

Laura Dekker, the 14-year-old girl who hopes to become the youngest person to sail solo round the world, left for Portugal in her boat Guppy on Wednesday morning.

Dekker and her father are sailing to Portugal together. She will then leave for the first leg of her trip to the Canary Islands where she will wait for the end of the hurricane season, RTL news reports.

Dekker, who turns 15 in September, has been a ward of court for the past year because judges felt she there were too many risks associated with the trip.

She is carrying out the trip in stages and the journey is expected to take two years.

Earlier this week, it emerged Dekker has signed an exclusive tv contract with Dutch production house Eyeworks.

I have mixed feelings about Laura Dekker's attempt to be the youngest person to sail around the world. I fully agree young persons should be encouraged to take up challenges. Starting at an early stage in sports and athletics. Encouraged to take up special interests, hobbies, studies, music, art, etc., whilst young can bring lifetime reward, satisfaction and maybe even a career.

However, I remember playing a small part in a team trying to break the land speak record, back in the 80's (which was eventually achieved with a fighter jet powered car called Thust 2). I recall how wasteful it was in costs, manpower and time just to get into the Guinness book of records. I remember thinking that this was a very selfish enterprise, because no one would actually benefit from it. No new technology was derived from the attempt that could be put to good use elsewhere, because the team mainly used excisting technology (some of it quite old). It's hardly a sport, and watching the car break the record in two one minute runs, hardly entertainment.

So what is Laura, and her family really trying to achieve - 15 minutes of fame? I wish her fair winds, good luck and a safe return - but I really don't get it.

By Andrew | August 5, 2010 3:47 PM