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16 Year-Old Sailing Prodigy Zac Sunderland to Attempt Youngest Solo Circumnavigation
LOS ANGELES-(Business Wire)-May 20, 2008 - When 16 year-old Zac Sunderland of Ventura, California steps aboard his 36' yacht, Intrepid on May 31, he will be the youngest American sailor since 1965 to attempt a solo global circumnavigation.
That year, 16 year-old Robin Lee Graham departed Los Angeles, California but Graham did not complete his voyage until 1970, at the age of 20. Graham's book The Dove was one of Zac's inspirations. Zac Sunderland will sail west from Los Angeles on approximately the same course as Graham, but looks to complete his voyage in 11-months, returning to Los Angeles in April, 2009 while still 17 years-old.
The home schooled A-student settled on becoming an Adventurer, following the footsteps of his other hero and friend, Aussie, Jesse Martin, who completed his own circumnavigation at age 18. The eldest of seven children of Laurence and Marianne Sunderland, the family boat was literally Zac's first home. He has already logged over 15,000 sea hours, and when the Sunderlands were confronted with their son's decision, they realized that Zac has mastery of all the skills necessary to make the voyage, and that age is not an issue in their son's attempt.
Zac explains, "I feel everything in my life thus far has been leading to this decision. I'm totally focused on preparing for departure and undertaking what I hope will be the first of many adventures of my lifetime."
In January of this year, Zac found and purchased a 36' Islander which is currently undergoing a major refit to reinforce her for blue water conditions. Once Zac's decision was made, the last few months have been spent in non-stop preparation, every minute of which is being captured by Ocean Rescue TV.
The yacht will include the most sophisticated interactive communication equipment available and every safety precaution is being taken into consideration. Upgrades include all new heavy-duty running and standing rigging, chain plates, stanchions and lifelines, new keel bolts and custom fiberglass hard dodger, all new through hulls and seacocks and reinforcement of key bulkheads. The final phase will be the installation and coordination of advanced electrical systems and electronics, alternate power source systems and watermaker.
The departure date is now May 31, 2008 from Barton Chase Park in Marina del Rey. Sometime between the hours of 10:30 am and 12:00 noon, Zac Sunderland will board the Intrepid and begin the first solo adventure of his lifetime. Daily updates will be available at www.zacsunderland.com.
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