SIMPSON BAY--Solo teenage circumnavigator Laura Dekker is approaching St. Maarten and was located at 13.00N and 53.00W as of 11:00am Tuesday, with 600 miles to sail before landfall, the Sint Maarten Yacht Club reported.
The 16-year-old’s average speed has been 7.1 knots per hour (170 miles per day) over the last few days, which is very fast for a 38-foot boat. The wind died down over the last 24 hours and the sea state became friendlier. After a few days of experiencing tons of water coming over-deck Laura now enjoys sitting in the cockpit in a moderate breeze. The yacht club had a brief interview with Laura on Tuesday morning:
SMYC: “How is the weather forecast for the coming days?”
LD: “The weather forecast for the coming days looks promising and I expect to maintain at least 140 miles per 24 hours for the next days.”
SMYC: “You have chosen to complete your circumnavigation in St. Maarten. Why?”
LD: “I had a very good time in St. Maarten last year and for me it’s a logical choice to complete my voyage.”
SMYC: “So you have good memories of St. Maarten?”
LD: “Yes.”
SMYC: “You’re now about six weeks at sea. Do you feel lonely?”
LD: “I never feel lonely at all.”
SMYC: “What will be the first thing you do when you step on land again?”
LD: “Normally I start cleaning up the mess aboard, while at sea I can’t do so. I would love to take a warm shower and fresh food. But I think this time everything will be different, I assume.”
In St. Maarten a team is preparing to welcome Laura and her boat, the 38-foot Jeanneau Ginfizz ketch Guppy. The Sint Maarten Yacht Club, the St. Maarten Marine Trades Association (SMMTA), the St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association (SHTA) and the St. Maarten Tourism Board are all working together to celebrate Laura’s return. Once again, Guppy will tie up at the dock at the St. Maarten Yacht Club from whence Laura started her solo circumnavigation almost exactly a year ago.
Guppy will have a slip at the Simpson Bay Marina compliments of IGY while she stays in St. Maarten. IGY also donated a slip while she was in St. Maarten before.
Laura’s father Dick Dekker, mother Babs Muller and her grandparents will be present to welcome Laura when she docks Guppy at the Sint Maarten Yacht Club. Laura received the best news yesterday: her little sister Kim was given special permission to be absent from school to fly to Sint Maarten to welcome her sister.
Royal Palm Beach Resort has given a complimentary suite to the family for their stay in St. Maarten. The super mega-yacht Sherakhan will be hosting Laura, her family and selected press for a four-course dinner on the night of their arrival.
