Sailing schoolboy Mike Perham, 16, has not abandoned his attempt to become the youngest person to sail non-stop, and solo around the world, despite reports to the contrary.

Speaking to YM from Gran Canaria, he said: ‘I am still aiming for the non-stop record, but there would be no point in pushing on into the Southern Ocean knowing something was wrong and I will stop if I have to. The main thing is to get round solo. But for now the circumnavigation bid is a non-stop one.’

He is expecting n engineer to arrive from Spain tomorrow and hopes are high that the gremlins which have been plaguing his autopilot will be laid to rest.
Mike