14-year-old Dutch sailor begins her voyage around the world

[Contrary1]

I hope she makes it back alive.

"PORTIMAO, Portugal - A 14-year-old Dutch sailor departed in secrecy from Gibraltar Saturday on her quest to become the youngest person to sail solo around the world, avoiding the media because her manager said she didn't want the attention.

Laura Dekker was in good spirits as she started sailing her 38-foot (11.5-meter) ship "Guppy" from the British territory on the southwestern tip of Spain, on a trip expected to last a year or more, her manager Peter Klarenbeek said. The attempt has been criticized by Dutch child protection authorities who questioned the wisdom of a child risking the world's oceans alone.

"She said goodbye to her father and friends and she sailed away into the horizon," Holland's MasMedia company, which has exclusive TV rights to film her voyage, said.

Laura had been scheduled to depart from a resort in southwestern Portugal but Marijke Schaaphok, MasMedia's director, said Portugual issues permits to sail ocean vessels only to people 18 or older..."

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/38787037/ns/sports-othersports/

[piratefish08]

1. fucking ignorant. although, i'm probably in the minority based on a similar

story a few months ago.

[sailor65]

6. Not even the minority....

among those that truly understand and love the sea, your kind is nonexistent.

[EmilyKent]

2. Clear sailing and best wishes to her!

[sailor65]

7. +1 n/t

[Wilms]

3. "avoiding the media because her manager said she didn't want the attention"

:rofl:

For sale:

[sailor65]

4. Fair winds and following seas....

and long may your big jib draw!

[steve2470]

5. I hope she does also

I hope she's an expert sailor. She will need all her skill to do this.

[MineralMan]

8. Bon Voyage, kiddo...

Stay safe.