British teenager sails into Atlantic record books

LONDON, Jan 3 (Reuters) A 14-year-old British boy sailed into the record books today as the youngest person to make a solo voyage across the Atlantic.

Michael Perham, who skipped school to make the trip, cruised into Nelson's Dockyard in Antigua at 10 am 1930 hrs IST to be met by steel bands, after an arduous six weeks crossing 3,500 miles of open water from Gibraltar, followed by his father.

''This is an amazing moment. Michael has become the most famous teenager in the world and an inspiration to millions of youngsters,'' said family spokesman Kizzi Nkwocha.

''I've just spoken to him and he's completely overwhelmed by the huge public support his adventure has attracted. He is looking forward to being back on dry land, having a decent steak meal and seeing his family and friends again.'' The previous holder of the record was Seb Clover who was 15 when he completed the shorter solo voyage to Antigua from Tenerife in January 2003 after three weeks at sea, also tailed by his father.

Michael's mother Heather said from her north London home her son loved a challenge and had been inspired by Clover's exploits.

Michael, who started sailing when he was seven, already had several thousand miles under his belt before he began the latest -- and to date longest -- voyage.

In a modified 28-foot yacht named Cheeky Monkey, Michael had hoped to complete the trip following the trade winds in about four weeks, but had to divert to Lanzarote and the Cape Verde islands when his navigation equipment failed.

The trip for both father and son has been hampered by bad weather and equipment damage, including the rudder on father Peter's boat and the sea anchor on the Cheeky Monkey.

In his diary blog, Michael, who is described on his www.sailmike.com Web site as cheerful and determined with a love of outdoor sports and chocolate, describes the loneliness and ups and downs of the epic voyage.

''Experienced my first experience of squalls, they really do knock your teeth out,'' he wrote on November 25.

He described how on December 15 he had to tie a rope around his waist and jump overboard to cut free his steering gear.

He expressed joy at seeing dolphins skimming alongside his boat, sunbathing, blue skies and flying fish landing in his lap.

''It is an amazingly good feeling when you are on the open sea and no land in sight,'' he wrote.

He even said he managed to do a bit of homework.

Peter, 47, has been sailing close by and in radio contact but under the rules of solo yachting has not been allowed to make physical contact.

REUTERS PB BD2045