Crackly radio, oiled wool sweaters and prayers to God - have they all disappeared from solo sailing?

Just four days after the news of the alleged 'major structural failure' I went to the team's current base in Genoa

Mike Perham's arrival at the end of his solo circumnavigation has raised the question of how young is too young to go solo?

See images of Alex on the keel of Hugo Boss while out sailing in the Solent - courtesy of Lloyd Images