Girl, 16, completes solo sail around globe

(AP) 

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten — A teenager from the Netherlands sailed into St. Maarten harbor on Saturday, ending a yearlong solo journey around the globe aboard a ketch named "Guppy."

Dozens of people cheered as Laura Dekker pumped her fist into the air in celebration while sailing past a drawbridge raised for her arrival in the port from which she set out on Jan. 20, 2011.

Dekker marked her 16th birthday during the trip and claims she is the youngest sailor to complete a round-the-world voyage.

The Guinness World Records has said it won't back that up because it no longer recognizes records for youngest sailors to discourage dangerous attempts.

lauradekker.nl

Several Dutch officials tried to block her trip, arguing she was too young to risk her life. School authorities have complained she should be in a classroom.

The last leg of the journey took Dekker through high seas and heavy winds from Cape Town, South Africa.

She hugged her family and wept before addressing the crowd.

Dekker says she was born aboard a boat and first sailed solo at age 6. At 10, she said, she began dreaming aobut circling the globe.

"Her story is just amazing," said one of Dekker's fans, 10-year-old Jody Bell of Connecticut. "I can't imagine someone her age going out on sea all by herself."

Bell was in St. Maarten on a work trip with her mother, Deena Merlen, an attorney in Manhattan, who wanted to see Dekker complete her journey. The two wore T-shirts that read: "Guppy rocks my world."

"My daughter and I have been following Laura's story, and we think it's amazing and inspiring," Merlen said.

[rocketjl]

Congrats and best wishes.

[lilbear925]

Now that she has done it all, what does she do next? You want fries with that? Maybe some sailboat manufacturer can hire her as a technical advisor, or she can sell the movie rights and never need to work another day in her life.

[Dgunner]

I can say this it took moxy. If you don't understand moxy? Stay on shore and out of the marine corp.Congrats young lady.

[joe1022joe]

I'm glad she made it saely home. But the parents were seriously imprudent to allow her to do this. They were lucky.

[Devlyn13]

congrats that is wonderfull you were able to fullfill a dream like that at your age . wonderful!

[gunshack1]

I don't care what kind of modern technology and communications she used. This was one hell of a job. Good for her. Outstanding!

[Rynedrop]

Kids need to find a new way. Sailing is using wind power. Global warming is threating life as we know it.

What kind of world are you leaving your children?

[rwsmith29456]

For pure seamanship, I'll take the story of the Gypsy Moth IV. Chichester was truly alone, not tied by any technological apron springs.

[DC_Clark]

All the technology in the world didn't help her sail around the Cape of Good Hope with possibly the roughest seas on the planet

[DC_Clark]

From what I have read she is a accomplished sailor and knows just as much if not more than her contemporaries, but still I wouldn't want my 16 yr old daughter to undertake such a challenge. She was not escorted all she had was her radio.

[vissionquest]

I am very happy for this young girl. She has completed an education that will keep her in good stead all her life. I know what she has been through, so few will ever take a chance in life like that.