With so much pressure on the record books these days you’ve got to start young. Seventeen year old Australian Jesse Martin has done exactly that in his bid to become the youngest person to sail around the world, non-stop, singlehanded.

Jesse and his 34 foot Sparkman & Stephens, Lionheart, left Melbourne on 6 December and hope to be back before his 18th birthday in August. The current record was set by David Dicks when aged 18 years and 41 days.

Jesse’s last reported position was 44°31 South, 146°10 West in the Southern Ocean heading for Cape Horn.

You can keep an eye on his progress at www.venturebeyond.com.au.