Mike Perham intends to depart Gran Canaria tomorrow or Thursday, Christmas Day, in his bid to become the youngest person to sail around the world single-handed. Mike, 16, has been dogged by technical problems since he set out from Portsmouth last month in his Open 50, Totallymoney.com, stopping first in Portugal and then in Gran Canaria.

Spare parts for the boat’s autopilot system are being flown out to Gran Canaria. Once fitted, Michael will take Totallymoney.com out for a test run. If Mike and the team are satisfied that the problem has been fixed, the young sailor will be on his way.