Abby Sunderland, who turned 16 in October last year, will depart the United States on Saturday 23 January in a bid to sail solo around the world.

Abby’s older brother Zac made headlines in July 2009 when, at 17, he became the youngest person to solo circumnavigate the globe, sailing 27,500 nautical miles in 13 months. Briton Mike Perham broke Zac’s record roughly one month later, completing his journey also at the age of 17 but two months Zac’s junior.

To follow Abby, visit www.abbysunderland.com