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Abby Sunderland: Yacht abandoned in 2010 record attempt found | Abby Sunderland: Yacht abandoned in 2010 record attempt found |
(about 17 hours later) | |
Almost nine years after being abandoned in the Indian Ocean, a yacht belonging to a teenage round-the-world sailor has turned up off southern Australia. | Almost nine years after being abandoned in the Indian Ocean, a yacht belonging to a teenage round-the-world sailor has turned up off southern Australia. |
US girl Abby Sunderland was aged 16 in 2010 when she attempted to become the youngest person to circumnavigate the globe, but a storm crippled her vessel. | US girl Abby Sunderland was aged 16 in 2010 when she attempted to become the youngest person to circumnavigate the globe, but a storm crippled her vessel. |
She was rescued more than 3,220km (2,000 miles) from the coasts of both Africa and Australia. | She was rescued more than 3,220km (2,000 miles) from the coasts of both Africa and Australia. |
The yacht was spotted on Monday, upturned and covered in barnacles. | The yacht was spotted on Monday, upturned and covered in barnacles. |
It was reported to authorities by a tuna-spotting plane about 10km south of Kangaroo Island, a popular tourist destination in South Australia, police said. | It was reported to authorities by a tuna-spotting plane about 10km south of Kangaroo Island, a popular tourist destination in South Australia, police said. |
"My heart skipped a beat," Ms Sunderland said in a statement reported by Australian media. | "My heart skipped a beat," Ms Sunderland said in a statement reported by Australian media. |
"It brought back many memories - good and not so good - but it was neat to see it after so long. It looked a little creepy but that's to be expected after so long." | "It brought back many memories - good and not so good - but it was neat to see it after so long. It looked a little creepy but that's to be expected after so long." |
Ms Sunderland had set sail from California in January 2010, but five months later her mast snapped in 9m (30ft) high waves in the Indian Ocean. | Ms Sunderland had set sail from California in January 2010, but five months later her mast snapped in 9m (30ft) high waves in the Indian Ocean. |
The teenager lost contact with her family for some 20 hours, during which time the yacht's emergency beacons were activated. | The teenager lost contact with her family for some 20 hours, during which time the yacht's emergency beacons were activated. |
A plane from Perth spotted the teenager's stricken boat and made contact with her, prompting a sea rescue. | A plane from Perth spotted the teenager's stricken boat and made contact with her, prompting a sea rescue. |
She was picked up by a French sailing vessel and taken to Reunion island, a French overseas territory near Madagascar. | She was picked up by a French sailing vessel and taken to Reunion island, a French overseas territory near Madagascar. |
Ms Sunderland had been attempting to beat the record set by her brother, Zac, who sailed solo around the world in 2009 at the age of 17. | Ms Sunderland had been attempting to beat the record set by her brother, Zac, who sailed solo around the world in 2009 at the age of 17. |
At the time, her family rejected criticism from some over their decision to allow her to make the attempt, saying she was prepared and mentally well-equipped to deal with the challenge. | At the time, her family rejected criticism from some over their decision to allow her to make the attempt, saying she was prepared and mentally well-equipped to deal with the challenge. |
The feat was completed by 16-year-old Australian sailor Jessica Watson in the same year. It was also achieved by a younger 16-year-old, Dutch girl Laura Dekker, in 2012. | |
Ms Sunderland has since co-written a book about her experience. She is now married with three children and lives in Alabama, media reports said. | Ms Sunderland has since co-written a book about her experience. She is now married with three children and lives in Alabama, media reports said. |