Sailing prodigy hits Panama in round-the-world trip (From Times Series)

Sailing prodigy hits Panama in round-the-world trip

9:50am Monday 6th July 2009 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

THE Potters Bar teenager hoping to become the youngest person to sail single-handedly around the world is due to arrive in Panama today.

Michael Perham, 17, of Oakroyd Avenue, plans to dock his boat Totallymoney.com at the Flamenco Marina at the entrance to the Panama Canal, Pacific side, this afternoon.

Michael set sail last November on his epic 26,000-mile solo world crossing. He hopes to be back home by the end of the month.

Writing on his blog yesterday, Michael said: "It's extremely humid on board now and it's not pleasant being inside the cabin.

"I'm very much looking forward to getting into some of the slightly cooler conditions in the Caribbean, not to mention the trade winds!

"I'm really itching to get into Panama as it now feels just so close. I'm about 200 miles away now, which I'd usually be able to sail in under a day pretty comfortably, but in these really variable conditions it's taking much longer.

"I haven't seen any ships from Panama yet that are heading out across the Pacific, but it's only a matter of time.

"Tomorrow night is going to be interesting as I'll really be in the thick of the traffic. This is something I'm really not looking forward to.

"Being stuck in an extremely busy shipping lane with no wind doesn't really take my fancy, but, hey, I'll take it as it comes."