Teen circumnavigator update - Zac, Mike and Jessica

9:23 PM Sun 28 Jun 2009 GMT

'Zac Sunderland sailing the coast of Mexico - photo by Jen Edney' .

Zac Sunderland, in his final coastal sail to his home port, was sent scurrying into Puerto Vallarta with a cracked bulkhead and away from a tropical storm that was promising to end up as a hurricane. With the help of his father Zac's boat Intrepid is repaired and on his way again.

Zac's father, Laurence Sunderland, dropped everything and flew into Puerto Vallarta to take charge of the repair, while they waited out the hurricane.

Zac - .. .

Working with little sleep for the dedicated father, the serious breakage was repaired in record time, sail mended, provisioning done, engine serviced, and Zac has headed into the Sea of Cortez.

He is getting closer and closer to achieving his dream of becoming the youngest person on earth to do a sailing circumnavigation of the world.

Bon Voyage Zac!

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Michael Perham - chance for a rest photo Phil Long - .. .

Michael Perham, Zac's friendly competitor and 108 days younger than him, has passed the equator and is heading for Panama, having given up his idea of going round the Horn. Once Zac arrives home, in the next weeks, Michael will have 108 days to reach Britain to take the title away from Zac.

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Jessica headshot - .. . Click Here to view large photo

In Australia, Jessica Watson, just turned sixteen is planning to depart in September for her own quest of the same title. However, her stakes are a little higher. She still has the ambition to circle the world non-stop and without assistance, something Zac never tried, and Mike gave up soon after his departure.

by Nancy Knudsen