12th March 2010  Sport

Interview: Mike Perham

11th December 2009
Daniel Webb

Mike Perham has become the youngest person ever to circumnavigate the globe. We speak exclusively to him about his nine month trip.

On Thursday 27 August 2009, Mike Perham became the youngest person at 17 ever to sail, single-handed, 30,000 miles around the world. As he crossed the line between Lizard Point and Ushant in France, which traditionally represents the start and finish point of the journey, Mike was greeted by the Royal Navy’s very own HMS Mersey, a helicopter from 771 squadron and a small fleet of press boats that had been awaiting his arrival on his 50ft yacht, ‘Totallymoney.com’

Since achieving this epic feat, life has changed considerably for Mike, who now spends his time delivering speeches and giving interviews across the world, from Southampton to Hong Kong.Despite this new hectic life, Mike has spared the Wessex Scene a few moments to answer some questions and has even managed to converse with us over Facebook chat.

Mike, who also set the record for the youngest person ever to sail across the Atlantic Ocean, aged 14, said of holding two world records; "It feels fantastic. If I could bottle up the feeling I got when I crossed the finish line and open it up every now and again I’d be wearing a smile 24/7." Mike set off on his circumnavigation from Portsmouth, after unveiling his 50ft yacht at the Southampton Boat Show earlier this year, despite many experienced sailors advising him that the expedition was too dangerous for such a young sailor to undertake. On this subject, Mike remarks: "I wanted an adventure and I knew I could do it. I’m not stupid, I wouldn’t have gone if I didn’t think I was up to the job." Mike’s parents were also unsure about his undertaking the challenge; "Of course my parents were apprehensive at first, but they knew I had what it took and so they let me live my dream." Mike’s family has strong maritime associations; his father was a merchant naval officer, his grandfather served with the Navy during World War 2, and his great-grandfather served during the Crimean War as a Royal Marine.

Mike’s nine-month odyssey was featured on Channel 4 as The Schoolboy that Sailed the World, with the idea to make a programme coming from Mike himself. "I wanted to document the trip really well. I wanted the public to see what being alone out on the ocean was really like. I approached production companies a long time before I set off and we teamed up [with Channel 4] and made a cracking documentary, which I am very proud of." Mike shot all the footage for the programme whilst at sea and as a result, was forced to overcome a series of technical and navigational challenges. Throughout his journey, the autopilot was erratic and Mike had to be ready to take to the helm at moment’s notice. Dramatically, the documentary showed Mike leaving the boat for the first time to enter the sea, something all sailors know is to be avoided at all costs. We asked Mike what he was feeling at this point, entering such a dangerous situation; "One of my ropes had jammed itself under the boat and around my two rudders. This caused me to lose all steering so I had no choice but to enter the water. In a situation like that, you simply have to think, sod it, and get on with the job at hand."

Viewers watched intently as Mike experienced the highs and lows of his expedition. He said, "the Southern Ocean was the hardest part of the trip, but at the same time, it was the most fun. It’s cold, wet and miserable down there, but its totally amazing."

For Mike’s next adventure he plans to re-enact the mutiny on the Bounty, which we look forward to with great anticipation! He is due to start on the 28th of April 2010. To find out more, visit www.bountyboat.com.



world,sailing,yacht,expedition,sailors,circumnavigate


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