Laura Dekker
Laura Dekker | |
|---|---|
Dekker in 2011 | |
| Born | 20 September 1995 Whangārei, New Zealand |
| Citizenship | Dutch German New Zealander |
| Occupation | Sailor |
| Known for | Youngest person to sail solo around the world |
| Spouse |
Daniël Thielmann
(m. 2015; div. 2017) |
| Children | 2 |
| Website | lauradekkerworldsailingfoundation |
Laura Dekker (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈlʌuraː ˈdɛkər]; born 20 September 1995) is a Dutch sailor. In 2009, she announced her plan to become the youngest person to circumnavigate the globe single-handed. A Dutch court stepped in, owing to the objections of the local authorities, and prevented Laura from departing while under shared custody of both her parents. In July 2010, a Dutch family court ended this custody arrangement, and the record-breaking attempt finally began on 21 August 2010. Dekker successfully completed the solo circumnavigation in a 12.4-metre (40 ft) two-masted ketch named Guppy, arriving in Simpson Bay, Sint Maarten, 518 days later at the age of 16.