31st Aug 09
Dutch authorities say no to young girl solo sail
by Harry Oldfield
Dutch teenager Laura Dekker describes herself as a doer rather than a dreamer, but it seems that her plan to be the youngest sailor to ever circumnavigate the earth will not be realized.
Child protection services in the Netherlands have determined that the trip is too dangerous for the young girl, meaning that she and her 26 foot yacht, name Guppy, won’t be leaving the dock.
The decision came as a devastating blow to the young girl whose life is sailing.
She said to Dutch television last week: “My parents have sailed around the world, they know what can happen and that it’s not always fun, but because I want to do it so much they agreed and supported me.”
She added: “They’ve taken good care of me for 13 years, so I don’t know why people suddenly think they are not doing a good job.”
Young Dekker was not present at the hearing late last week to hear the decision of the authorities. The pressure of the constant media attention was having a negative impact on her, so she was advised to stay away from the hearing – and went sailing instead.
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