Abby Sunderland is due to arrive into Cabo San Lucas this afternoon and if repairs to her 40-foot yacht go as planned she will resume her around-the-world sailing adventure on Thursday afternoon or Friday morning.
The 16-year-old from Thousand Oaks, who left Marina del Rey, Calif., on Jan. 23 on a quest to become the youngest person to sail around the world alone and nonstop, can still achieve that feat but her starting and finishing point will now be Mexican resort city of Cabo San Lucas, at the tip of Baja California.
Sunderland decided to stop because her solar panels and wind generators are not generating enough power to run her boat's equipment, notably the auto-pilot. Her shipwright father, Laurence, has flown to Cabo to install a new battery and make other necessary repairs.
I talked to Abby's mom at 3 p.m. and she said her daughter was in good spirits despite the setback. She also said Abby forgot to pack her shampoo and had been washing her hair in dish soap, so this stop carries a dual purpose.
Here's hoping for no further equipment failures and a safe journey into the trade winds, and beyond.
-- Pete Thomas
Photo of Abby Sunderland's Marina del Rey sendoff by Pete Thomas
Comments