Perham only 3,000 miles from sailing world record (From Times Series)

Perham only 3,000 miles from sailing world record

12:33pm Monday 10th August 2009

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ONLY 3,000 miles lie between Potters Bar sailing star Mike Perham and the world record to become the youngest sailor to circumnavigate the globe.

Writing on his blog today, the 17-year-old said: "I've certainly been grinning a lot after moving away from the coast and into the Atlantic. Now I can start the 'crossing' part, which I'm super pleased about.

"I've already noticed a big reduction in shipping, which means I can sleep much, much better now.

"I've now passed the 3,000 miles-to-go mark and I’m getting excited about ticking off some more boxes."

The teenager, from Oakroyd Avenue, left England on November 15, 2008, and has overcome storm-force winds, 50ft waves and constant problems with his boat's electrics to make it this far.

He hopes to sail his Open 50 boat TotallyMoney.com into Portsmouth within two weeks to claim the record.

Last month, American teenager Zac Sunderland returned to Los Angeles to claim the youngest solo circumnavigation record.

However, Mike is three months younger and has until mid-November to get his name into the record books.

Mike first hit the headlines two years ago when he became the youngest person ever to sail across the Atlantic single-handed at the age of 14.

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