FT. PIERCE, FL -- Sixteen year old Abby Sunderland is preparing for the test of her life.
We’re not talking algebra or chemistry. Think bigger, like sailing around the world on her own.
"I’m nervous. You can’t try something like this without being nervous," she says.
She grew up around boats and says she’s dreamed of this her entire life. She aims to become the youngest person to make a solo voyage around the world.
Her brother Zac knows something about that. He held the record earlier this year after completing a 13 month voyage of his own.
"A lot of crazy times at sea, amazing times at night on the ocean, I really love Cape Town as far as the ports go," says Zac.
Abby plans to trump her brother’s trip by circling the globe in just 6 months, going non-stop.
I've got six months worth of dehydrated food, which I hope will last the whole way," she says.
With the help of a sponsor Abby bought a used 40-foot sailboat in Newport, Rhode Island. She and her brother sailed down the Eastern seaboard on a practice run.
They planned to stop in Ft. Lauderdale, but a stiff wind grounded them in Ft. Pierce.
"Stuff like that I’m going to have to work through," she says.
They plan to ship the boat cross country, then start Abby’s voyage from California next month.
The teen expects a long, lonely and perhaps rough ride, but
she can’t wait.
"I’ll probably bring a lot of books and school work to keep me busy while i’m out there."
It's safe to say the Sunderlands are a thrill seeking family. Along with the 'round the world sailing, Zac’s next adventure is climbing Mount Everest. He's trying to get a reality show to sponsor him.
