16 Facts About Zac Sunderland

Zachary Tristan Sunderland was born on November 29,1991 and is an American former sailor who was the first person under the age of 18 to sail solo around the world.

Zac Sunderland is the youngest American to complete a circumnavigation, surpassing Brian Caldwell, who finished in 1996 at age 20.

However, Zac Sunderland's record was not recognized by Guinness World Records, or by the World Sailing Speed Record Council.

Zac Sunderland was forced to call off her attempt after her boat was damaged in a storm in the Indian Ocean.

The oldest of Marianne and Laurence Zac Sunderland's eight children, Zac Sunderland's first home was a 17-metre Tradewind sailboat.

Zac Sunderland's family sailed in Australia, New Zealand, the UK and Mexico.

When Zac Sunderland decided to attempt the circumnavigation, he purchased a 36-foot Islander 36 named Intrepid for $6,000, using all of his savings.

Zac Sunderland planned to complete his voyage in April 2009 with a maximum time of 18 months.

Zac Sunderland departed from Marina del Rey on June 14,2008.

Zac Sunderland initially planned to make 15 to 30 stops around the world, the first of which was to be the Marshall Islands, Micronesia.

Zac Sunderland then headed towards the Marshall Islands, on July 16,2008.

Zac Sunderland proceeded to Mauritius, thereby completing half of his expedition.

Zac Sunderland turned 17 on November 29,2008, while at sea.

Zac Sunderland took short hops to East London, Port Elizabeth, Mossel Bay, and finally got to Cape Town, where he had a chance meeting with Mike Perham, who was competing for the record as the world's youngest solo-circumnavigator, and Minoru Saito who, at 75, was making his eighth trip and held the record as the oldest solo, non-stop circumnavigator.

Zac Sunderland's next stop was Panama, where he crossed the canal into the Pacific.

On September 19,2009, Zac Sunderland was Grand Marshal of the 14th annual Route 66 Parade in Duarte, California.