This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/beds/bucks/herts/6226775.stm

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Teenage sailor closes on record Teenage sailor closes on record
(about 8 hours later)
A British 14-year-old is set to arrive in Antigua and become the youngest person to sail the Atlantic single-handed.A British 14-year-old is set to arrive in Antigua and become the youngest person to sail the Atlantic single-handed.
Michael Perham, from Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, is set to arrive at the Caribbean island at 1400 GMT.Michael Perham, from Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, is set to arrive at the Caribbean island at 1400 GMT.
Michael, who has been sailing dinghies since he was six, will take the record from Isle of Wight teenager Seb Clover, who was 15 when he made the crossing.Michael, who has been sailing dinghies since he was six, will take the record from Isle of Wight teenager Seb Clover, who was 15 when he made the crossing.
The mission has lasted six weeks with stops in Gibraltar and Cape Verde. The journey, which started in Gibraltar, has lasted six weeks.
Michael's yacht, Cheeky Monkey, is being shadowed by his father, Peter, a quantity surveyor, who is also in radio contact.Michael's yacht, Cheeky Monkey, is being shadowed by his father, Peter, a quantity surveyor, who is also in radio contact.
'Remarkable feat'
Mother Heather Perham said her son had been inspired by Seb Clover's record in 2003.Mother Heather Perham said her son had been inspired by Seb Clover's record in 2003.
"He's a very adventurous lad. When he heard about the trip that Seb and his father had done in the rowing boat it challenged him." "He's a very adventurous lad. When he heard about the trip that Seb and his father had done... it challenged him."
Mrs Perham told the Times: "I did get quite scared when I found out he had to tie a rope around his waist and dive into the water to fix something and when he was talking about sharks. Stuart Phillips, head teacher at Chancellors Secondary School, which Michael attends, said: "It is an amazing achievement and goes to show what young people can achieve.
"But you cannot expect your kids not to go out. You don't want them staying at home, fixed to the computer." "We have been keeping students and parents informed of his progress. His friends have been logging onto his website."
Mr Phillips said Michael was in his first year of GCSEs and had been given a revision programme to support him.
He said: "What he has achieved is an education in itself and when people achieve success in something like this it translates into success in other areas.
"The school is very proud of him and when he returns we will decide how to mark this remarkable feat."