Laura, 14, can set sail on solo round world trip, say judges

A COURT has cleared the way for 14-year-old Laura Dekker to embark on a dangerous attempt to become the youngest person to sail solo around the world, an adventure that could begin in the next two weeks.

Judges at a family court lifted a guardianship order imposed on Laura last year after she said she wanted to set sail when she was still just 13. Her plan ignited a worldwide debate on how far parents should go in supporting their children's dreams.

"With this decision, the responsibility for Laura lies with her parents," the Dutch court's presiding judge said. "It is up to them to decide whether Laura can set off on her sail trip."

Both of Laura's parents, who are separated, say they support her attempt.

The teenager was not in court to hear the decision. Her lawyer, Peter de Lange, said she was on her boat, Guppy, and would be delighted by the decision.

"She will be unbelievably happy with this," he said. "Justice has been done."

Laura could set off for her starting point in Portugal within two weeks, he added.

The Council for Child Protection, the Dutch government's umbrella childcare agency, had asked the court to extend for another year a guardianship order that had prevented Laura from sailing.

A spokesman said it would study the court's ruling. It may decide to appeal.

In a surprising difference of opinion, the youth protection group looking after Laura had disagreed with the council and said she was ready to sail.

Writing on her blog last weekend, Laura was hopeful the court would lift the order, saying she took comfort from the fact that the welfare workers who had monitored her education and preparations for months believe she is ready.

Since making headlines last year as a 13-year-old, Laura has obtained a bigger boat and equipped it with modern navigation and safety equipment. She has also studied everything from how to stitch her own wounds, to how to cope with sleep deprivation and how to put out fires on board her 38ft twin-mast ketch.

"Laura has worked very hard in recent weeks on her survival techniques," Mr de Lange said.

In anticipation of a favourable ruling, Laura recently fitted the boat with new cushions and a new sail - both in her favourite colour, red - and a sunshade.

She and her supporters have carefully plotted a nearly two-year route from port to port around the world, including an alternative course around Africa to avoid the pirate-infested Gulf of Aden if necessary.

Despite the meticulous preparations, the child protection council said it remained concerned about her mental and physical development during such a long and lonely trip.

Sailing is in Laura's blood. She was born on a yacht in New Zealand waters while her parents were sailing around the world and holds New Zealand and Dutch passports.

While her father has always backed her round-the-world plan, her mother initially opposed it before giving her daughter her blessing earlier this year.

Laura could now become the youngest person to sail solo around the world, beating the mark now held by Australian Jessica Watson, 16.

She spent 210 days successfully manoeuvring her 34ft yacht, Ella's Pink Lady, around the world, encountering raging storms and 40ft waves along the way.