The 2010 Sydney International Boat Show (29 July – 2 August) is on this week with a really exciting line-up of guest speakers drawn from the boating world.
Jessica Watson, the young lady who thrilled us with her recent around the world exploit is the star attraction. However, she is not the only guest to inspire visitors to the show.
The well known Antarctic adventurer Don McIntyre will be there as well. Don recently recreated the voyage of the legendary Captain William Bligh will another person to take the stage at the Better Boating Lounge.
Now, that impressive line-up has been joined by young UK yachtsman Mike Perham, who is another young around the world sailing record-holder. Mike gained an additional ‘15-minutes of fame’ in Australia when he boarded Jessica Watson’s Ella’s Pink Lady as she sailed down Sydney Harbour to her tumultuous welcome at the Sydney Opera House.
Jessica and Mike had become close friends via radio, e-mail and Facebook as he supported ‘Ella’s Pink Lady’ throughout the voyage.
Mike Perham began his sailing career as a six-year-old (he was born in 1992) and just eight years later, aged 14, he become the youngest to sail across the forbidding Atlantic Ocean, solo and unassisted.
Three years later, Mike again sailed into the record books when, after 158 gruelling days at sea he became the youngest person to sail around the world single-handed; when he set sail, he was 16-years-old.
He celebrated his 17th birthday in the southern Indian Ocean.
During the voyage, Mike survived treacherous sea conditions, including waves of 60-feet magnitude.
He covered more than 30,000 miles (48,279 kilometres), some 6000 miles (5485 kilometres) more than originally planned and he was forced to layover for technical repairs and assistance in Portugal, the Canary Islands, Cape Town, Tasmania and New Zealand.
For more information and to book tickets on-line (and save a dollar) simply visit the show website, www.sydneyboatshow.com.au or call the recorded information line on 1300 7 26287 (BOATS).
Jessica Watson, the young lady who thrilled us with her recent around the world exploit is the star attraction. However, she is not the only guest to inspire visitors to the show.
