sailing news stories on Newser

85-Year-Old Sails Atlantic ... on a Raft

Kevin Spak — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 09:04:29 CDT

Anthony Smith was in high spirits as arrived in St. Maarten yesterday, and why not? After all, he’d just realized a boyhood dream, sailing a 40-foot raft on a two-month journey across the Atlantic with the help of three of his friends—at the ripe young age of 85. “Some...

BP's Hayward: If Only I Had an Acting Degree

Polly Davis Doig — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 09:40:38 CST

Tony Hayward's lips are flapping again, which usually doesn't bode well for Tony Hayward. In his first in-depth interview since his departure from the company's helm, BP's vilified ex-CEO is unrepentant about wanting his life back and going sailing as the Macondo well gushed, and generally feels like he "may...

Laura Dekker Sets Sail

Sat, 21 Aug 2010 09:14:16 CDT

Fourteen-year-old Laura Dekker quietly slipped out of an undisclosed Portugal port today, beginning her controversial quest to become the youngest person to sail around the globe. The Dutch teen began her journey, expected to take at least a year, on a nearly windless day, notes the AP. "She said goodbye...

Mom of Dutch Sailor, 14: OK, She Can Go

Sat, 17 Jul 2010 06:16:55 CDT

The mother of a 14-year-old Dutch girl who wants to sail solo around the world has given up her opposition to her daughter's planned trip. Laura Dekker's dream of becoming the youngest person to sail alone around the globe has been thwarted by a Dutch court that last year made...

Abby Sunderland Reunited With Brother

Sat, 26 Jun 2010 06:08:40 CDT

In a bittersweet reunion today, 16-year-old Californian sailor Abby Sunderland hugged her brother Zac as she teared up and defended her family against criticism that she had been too young to try to sail around the world alone. "I knew what to do. I was well-prepared for anything that could...

Sunderlands: Parents Who Should Be Shot

Mary Papenfuss — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 05:29:22 CDT

At first it looked like an inspiring tale of a plucky teen sailor trying to circumnavigate the globe alone, rescued from storm-tossed seas in a big-hearted Australian government operation. But anger continues to mount as Abby Sunderland's near-death experience underscores the dangers she faced because her parents "allowed her to...

Missing Teen Sailor Alive and Well

Mary Papenfuss — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 07:43:18 CDT

Missing teen solo sailor Abby Sunderland has been located and is alive and well, her team revealed. Sunderland told searchers aboard a Quantas airbus, commissioned by the Australian government, that she's OK and has plenty of food, reports MSNBC . "Wild Eyes is upright but her rigging is down. The weather...

Aussie Teen Completes Solo Voyage Around World

NxBigmouthery — Sat, 15 May 2010 07:30:00 CDT

After 210 days at sea, 16-year-old Australian Jessica Watson sailed into Sydney Harbour today to complete her solo and unassisted circumnavigation of the globe. She's the youngest person ever to make such a trip. Australia's ABC reports that thousands of cheering locals crowded the shore to welcome Watson, who, after...

Teen Forced to Quit Round-the-World Sail

Rob Quinn — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 04:24:00 CDT

California teen Abby Sunderland has been forced to abandon her attempt to become the youngest person ever to sail solo around the world without stopping. The 16-year-old, who set off in January, is headed toward Cape Town for emergency repairs to her 40-foot boat's navigation system, ABC News reports. She...