Lizard Point is finish line for new world record (From Boating Cornwall)

Lizard Point is finish line for new world record

2:20pm Thursday 27th August 2009 in

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A teenage sailor has set a new world record, becoming the youngest person to sail around the world when he crossed the finish line off Lizard Point this morning.

Mike Perham was just 16 when he set off on his record attempt and celebrated his 17th birthday on the Indian Ocean in March.

Now aged 17 years and 164 days, Mike, from Potters Bar in Herefordshire, completed his 30,000-mile circumnavigation of the globe at 9.47am, when he crossed a line between Lizard Point and Ushant in France escorted by the Royal Navy guard ship HMS Mersey.

Mike said he had made his “dream come true,” after battling 50ft waves and gale force winds.

Technical problems forced him to abandon his aim to complete the journey non stop and he had to make a number of stops, making him the youngest person to sail around the world with assistance.

The teenager has sailing in his genes, with his father a merchant naval officer, his grandfather serving with the Royal Navy during the Second World War and his great-grandfather a Royal Marine in the Crimean war.