She wants to sail around the world. A plan, a dream. But the authorities put a spanner in the works. Parental custody is suspended - the judgement triggers an avalanche.
When the project of 13-year-old Laura Dekker from Holland became known in 2009, a court decided that Laura was too young and that a solo trip around the world was not justifiable for such a young girl. The Dekker case made big waves - far beyond the sailing scene. How far can or should the state go? Can it forbid a young person to fulfil a dream? And even take custody away from the parents?
The international media report, and the debate continues in commentaries and articles, including in the "Süddeutsche Zeitung". Meanwhile, Laura Dekker isolates herself, desperate - but she won't give up. "I just want to sail," she says. She has now given her first interview to YACHT and met with a YACHT reporter several times. Dekker explains how she dealt with the criticism and why it is by no means her father's thirst for fame that prompted her to go sailing.
In YACHT, she complains that the whole world has formed an opinion of her without knowing her. Laura Dekker was born on a sailing boat and spent the first four years of her life on board. Later in life, she lived on boats for years, sailing single-handed across the English Channel without any problems. Then her big plan - and the judgement.
In February 2010, she announces the purchase of a new boat with which she wants to travel the world. She is currently getting the yacht ready with her father. The court must now decide once again whether Laura Dekker is allowed to set off - and could become the youngest female circumnavigator.
