This article is about the ruling of a court in Belgium. On this way, there is a far link to unit 8 and unit 9.
Laura dekkers, now 14 years old, wants to sail around the world. Special is that she wants to do this alone. With this trip, she wanted to become the youngest person to sail around the world.
But a Dutch judge told her she was not allowed to.
Laura Dekkers is the child of sailors. She was born on a boat and also her parents, now divorced, are both around-the-world sailors.
The young sailor, very disappointed in the ruling, faces a race against time to train herself before another court hearing in July, but she's determined to push ahead. She has 8 months to prepare herself and convince the court that she is ready.
The record is now held by British sailor Mike Perham, 17 years old, who completed the daunting in 164 days.
There is no doubt about the fact that Laura is emotionally, intellectualy and physically fit for such a venture, the judge says. There were concerns about her knowledge of first aid, sleep management and overall safety plan for distance schooling.
A lot of teenagers are seeking to sail around the world on solo voyages, with or without parental backing. Because of her ambition, Laura had already contact with the British authorities.
Laura has sailed solo from the Netherlands to Lowestoft already, it was a test her father set her, after she divulged her global dream to him. He did the test beacause he wanted to change his daughter's mind because he thought the open sea, the wind and the rain would frighten her. It didn't work, but it brought her plans to the attention of a wider audience.
Her father, Mr. Dekkers, was just 12 when he first sailed solo from Ijmuiden harbour to the North Sea. They say Laura is certain to gain an even higher profile than her dad.
If I had a daughter of that age, I would never let her sail around the world on a solo voyage. It think it is just too dangerous and a lot of things can happen. Thirteen years old is just too young. And because of that I can't understand laura's parents are supporting her on her trip she wants to make.
source:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article6897001.ece
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I've been following her story since it first came in the newspaper. I find it very intresting that she wants to do this. It's an adventure for her and a way to learn some things about the world. I don't know whether she will but if she visits different parts of the world, she will also see different cultures. I think she must be able to do it. If she's sure of herself being able to do this, she must have the opportunity to do it. The judges are much too protective in this case.
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