Mike Perham, the British teenager currently moored up in Cape Town in his bid to become the youngest person to sail around the world single-handed, has been frustrated by the South African elements but caught up on some important R&R. The 16-year-old from Potters Bar, in landlocked Hertfordshire, said that for a while the wind ‘continued to buffet Cape Town for a few days so we weren’t able to lift Totallymoney.com out for a while – very frustrating but there’s nothing you can really do about it!’

Mike spent the time relaxing with his father, who flew out to rendezvous with the teenage sailor. He also met Zac Sunderland, a 17-year-old sailor from California who is also attempting to become the youngest person to sail around the world.

However, his Open 50, Totallymoney.com, is now our of the water and receiving treatment. The rudder problems that were the reason for the unscheduled stop are being looked at and Mike hopes to have his Open 50 back in the water by the weekend. He said: ‘We’ve been arranging all sorts of things, from having the water-maker examined to having the rig fully checked over and a small part on the main sail altered.

‘It’s amazing to think I’ve now sailed over seven thousand miles on Totallymoney.com. She’s now up high in the sky in a cradle, four metres off the ground; this is because of her exceptionally long keel. The rudder has come off and the bearings are coming together piece-by-piece, and this should be completed and put back together either tomorrow or on Thursday.

‘Today I dropped by Southern Spars, who currently have the rig and they’re happy with the task we’ve given them and are confident it shouldn’t take too long, which is great news. If all goes to plan we could well have Totallymoney.com back in the water this weekend!’