Mike Perham, the youngest person to sail solo around the world, is the subject of a 90-minute documentary to be aired on Channel 4 night. ‘The schoolboy who sailed the world’ is one of Channel 4’s Cutting Edge series of programmes and airs at 21:00.

In 2006 Mike Perham, then 14-years-old, set a world record as the youngest person to sail solo across the Atlantic. Cutting Edge tracks his next record attempt when, two years later, Mike set out on the biggest challenge in sailing – a solo non-stop circumnavigation.

He set off from Gunwharf Quay in November 2008 aboard the Open 50 yacht TotallyMoney.com filming his bid. The documentary follows Mike’s dramatic, and at times almost unbearable, struggle with wild seas, failing equipment and loneliness. He had originally planned to be at sea for just four months, but it soon became apparent that he would have to battle far longer than anticipated.

Mike is now working as an Ambassador for the Prince’s Trust, visiting schools and youth groups to inspire ordinary young people to achieve the extraordinary. “Nothing is impossible if you really really set your heart on doing something special and prepare for it,” he said.