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Boy sails into the record books | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
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, arrived at the Caribbean island at 1400 GMT. | |
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 began in Gibraltar, past Africa and across the Atlantic to Antigua, has lasted six weeks. | |
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." |