PAGE 10 • SPRING 2009 THE JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SAILING ASSOCIATION
SPRING 2009 • PAGE 11
FEATURE STORY
continued from page 3
testimony to the character and quality of the marine
industry. The refit took three and a half months to
complete. For a complete list of supporters, sponsors,
boat specs and more, check out Zac’s web site at
www.zacsunderland.com.
Zac’s upbringing has uniquely qualified him for this trip.
Being raised in the yachting arena and having lived on
yachts for much of his life has given him an understanding
of a life at sea. His parents, both avid sailors, fully support
his decision and are behind him all the way.
So Far, So Good
In mid-January, 2009, Zac was well over half way around
world and has been tried and tested, nearly to his limits
at times. He has overcome adversities and hardships and
experienced great joy and made many new friendships.
Upon completion, Zac’s trip will have taken him nearly
24,000 miles with planned stops in Marina Del Rey,
Calif., to Honolulu, Hawaii, to the Marshall Islands, on to
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea for an emergency
repair then on to Darwin, Australia, on to Cocos Keeling
Island, on to Rodriques Island, a stop for emergency
repairs, Mauritius, Durban, East London, Port Elizabeth,
Mossel Bay and Cape Town, South Africa. Then on to St.
Helena, Trinadad and Tobago, Panama, and then back to
©2009 Lisa Gizara
Marina del Rey in Southern California. The trip has been
quite eventful. From discovering water in his engine oil Zac’s trip has already taken him through Hawaii, Papua New
to a broken boom in the middle of the Indian Ocean, Zac G uinea, Austrailia and many other exotic ports. His lifetime of
has overcome adversity with his own courage and talent
lear ning about the sea makes him uniquely qualified for the journe y.
as well as the kindness and talents of locals along the
way. By the time you read this article, Zac will be
homeward bound or already home!
WHERE AM I?
Inspired by another teen sailor, Robin Lee Graham, who
set sail on his own solo circumnavigation back in 1966,
Zac has set out to find adventure setting himself the
challenge to become the youngest person ever to solo
circumnavigate. He needs to be back before he is 18
years and 41 days old, the age of David Dicks of
Australia who sailed non-stop, solo and nearly unassisted
around the world back in the 90s. Once he returns to the
United States he plans to chronicle his adventures in a
book and a documentary with his film captured during
the voyage. He has already considered doing the trip
again only slower this time and with crew.
“It has been all that I dreamed that it would be and
more.” said Zac. “Now I’d just like to be able to stay
longer and really explore some of these amazing places
that I’ve been privileged to see.”
Article by Laurence and Marianne Sunderland. For Zac’s daily
© 2007 - GeoEye - All rights reser ved
blog, more information and possible sponsorship opportunities go
ANSWER ON THE ASA WEBSITE AT WWW.ASA.COM
to www.zacsunderland.com.
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