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Teenage sailor closes on record Boy sails into the record books
(about 3 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 has arrived in Antigua to 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, arrived 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, takes the record from Isle of Wight teenager Seb Clover who was 15 when he made the crossing.
The journey, which started in Gibraltar, has lasted six weeks. The journey, which began in Gibraltar, past Africa and across the Atlantic to Antigua, 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, was shadowed by his father, Peter, a quantity surveyor, who was also in radio contact.
'Remarkable feat''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... 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."
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.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.
"We have been keeping students and parents informed of his progress. His friends have been logging onto his website.""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.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.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.""The school is very proud of him and when he returns we will decide how to mark this remarkable feat."