15-year-old Jessica launches her round-world yacht

9:08 PM Fri 15 May 2009 GMT

'Jessica Watson perched on the deck of donated yacht' . Click Here to view large photo

Australian fifteen-year-old Jessica Watson, the latest teen to chase the 'youngest solo around the world' trophy, has launched her yacht, aptly called 'Youngestaround'. This brings her dream, which involves leaving in September (now two monthes earlier than the original start date of November) a little closer.

While in Australia there has been some criticism by family groups about the dangers of the voyage for the slightly built teen, Don McIntyre, the adventurer who with his wife Margie were the first to winter over at Commonwealth Bay since the great explorer Mawson, has given her project a vote of confidence by donating the yacht to Jessica.

Youngestaround - S&S34, a solid boat for a big adventure - .. . Click Here to view large photo

The yacht is an S&S (Sparkman and Stephens) 34, the same type of yacht used by her two other Australian predecessors, David Dicks and Jesse Martin, who both completed round world solo passagers in their teens.(David is still the youngest, but Jesse did it non-stop and unassisted.

Victorian adventurer Jesse Martin, who set his record in 1999, has also defended Jessica's adventure, telling the ABC, 'It's Jessica's choice, she's the one who's making the decision.'

Can she do it? - .. . Click Here to view large photo

In the meantime, Californian Zac Sunderland, 16, has arrived at Grenada in the Caribbean after a 34 day journey across the Atlantic in his yacht Intrepid during which a rogue wave damaged his boat, his inverter caught fire and failed, and this meant his satphone was unable to be charged.

After repairs, he has now set out for Panama. The rest of his voyage, while still potentially hazardous, does not involve any long ocean passages. He is also (in a laid-back fashion) attempting to become the youngest to sail around the world. His destination - Marina del Rey in Los Angeles - is getting closer.

Down in the Tasman Sea, British teenager Mike Perham, also 16 but 108 days younger than Zac, on his 55ft racing yacht Totallymoney, has just sailed around the northern tip of New Zealand and is heading for Auckland, forced to stop there to repair yet another steering problem on his boat.

by Nancy Knudsen

Click on thumbnails to enlarge and find more photos:

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