Teenager going it alone in round-the-world bid

A TEENAGER sets off today (Saturday) in a bid to become the youngest person to sail solo around the world.

Michael Perham, aged 16, is currently studying for a BTEC national diploma in sports at Oaklands College in St Albans. He will be able to keep up with the course while at sea, submitting and receiving work via email and satellite link so that he doesn't get behind in his studies.

Michael, who comes from Potters Bar, is no stranger to epic voyages - when he was 14 he became the youngest person to cross the Atlantic solo.

He said of the challenge: "I'm very excited. The most difficult part of the trip will be being alone. I'm not so much worried about it, but it is the main factor."

He is setting off from Portsmouth in a boat named Totallymoney.com, after one of his sponsors. The 24,000-mile journey is expected to take four months.

Michael, who started sailing at the age of seven, is hoping to gain the same amount of success he had two years ago on his solo journey from Gibraltar to Antigua.

This trip, however, is going to be very different. He'll be sailing a 50-foot racing yacht instead of a 28-foot cruising boat, it'll take four months instead of six weeks, and he won't have his dad sailing behind at a distance.

Dad Peter, a quantity surveyor, said: "All the attention Michael has had has been mad, it's been hectic, but I will miss him and I totally support him doing this."

Gary Anderson, director of performance at Oaklands, described Michael as "a truly inspirational young man".

He said: "We'll be keeping a close eye on his progress as he embarks on this extraordinary challenge and I'll be making sure all his assignments still make it in on time!"

You can track Michael's progress by logging on to www.sailmike.com