Surprise me then CE. Should a 13 year old Dutch girl be allowed to sail solo round the world?

Personally, I think 13 is way too young. She says, ''I want simply to learn about the world and live freely.'' That's fine, but she has her whole life ahead of her to achieve her dream.

I have a son that's almost 15,and he hasn't got the brains he was born with..so I'd have to say "No". It seems a very irresponsible stance from the parents to me...just to break a world record.

No daughter of mine would go sailing round the world at 13 I think the parents have lost sight of the safety of their daughter and are more concerned about the world record. LOL i am the most liberal parent ever, is she wanted to go skateboarding across the Sahara then yes maybe. Its the SEA i have a problem with. (edit: agree strongly with haz on the CE McCann parenting TD/TU thing.......everyones a perfect parent........not)

No I would be horrified if I was the mother of that child. Who encouraged her to want to do that?? There are many, many dangers for a young girl alone without going to sea to find them. What about the pirates on the oceans that we hear about? What about the young girl, not much older than this one who was snatched from almost outside her own front door. I know that is far from the same circumstances, but my point is that girls this young need to be protected. Sometimes even from themselves.

That wee lassie most certainly does not have the physical or mental strength to pull it off. She may well have plenty of sailing knowledge but that's it. Her parents either hate her and want rid or they are out of their skulls (no pun intended) and definitely not fit parents. The 17 yr old lad was extremely fortunate to make it but at least he is bigger and stronger than this slip of a lass. The parents need a boot up the erse for being so stupid for encouraging her at such a young age. What about her education? 2 years out of school for such a silly thing is beyond reason.

Oh pleeese. This precocious child should be doing her homework not messing about on the sea. A disaster waiting to happen, and grown men putting their lives at risk if this silly little girl got into trouble and needed rescuing. The judges were right.

Ridiculous - 13 is just too young. This obsession with breaking records is just plan silly - the first 16 year old, the first 17 year old - what next, stick a newborn on a boat? EDIT: LOL - you are right - the record has already been broken!

If the judges had said, "OK off you go" and she dies at sea? All they have done is pass the buck and it wouldn't be on my conscience either. Not worth the risk, all they want is the record.

No