Zac Sunderland

Zac Sunderland
Zac Sunderland (right) with California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in August 2009
Born
Zachary Tristan Sunderland[1]

(1991-11-29) November 29, 1991 (age 32)[1]
EducationTrinity Pacific Christian School
OccupationFormer sailor
Known forHeld the record as the youngest person to sail solo around the world (with stops and assistance); first person under the age of 18 to complete a solo circumnavigation
TelevisionThe Amazing Race 19 (6th place)
Parents
  • Laurence Sunderland (father)
  • Marianne Sunderland (mother)

Zachary Tristan Sunderland (born November 29, 1991) is an American former sailor who was the first person under the age of 18 to sail solo around the world.[2] Sunderland completed his trip after 13 months and 2 days at sea on July 16, 2009 at age 17. The record was previously held by Australian David Dicks, and was surpassed on August 27, 2009 by Michael Perham of England. Sunderland is the youngest American to complete a circumnavigation, surpassing Brian Caldwell, who finished in 1996 at age 20. However, Sunderland's record was not recognized by Guinness World Records,[3] or by the World Sailing Speed Record Council.

In 2010, one of Sunderland's younger sisters, Abby Sunderland, attempted the feat. She was forced to call off her attempt after her boat was damaged in a storm in the Indian Ocean.

In 2011, Sunderland and his father Laurence participated in the 19th season of The Amazing Race. They ended up in 6th place out of 11 teams and were eliminated in Copenhagen, Denmark.[4]

  1. ^ a b c "California Birth Index, 1905–1995". Ancestry.com. Archived from the original on December 9, 2018. Retrieved December 28, 2011.
  2. ^ Thomas, Pete (July 17, 2009). "Zac Sunderland completes solo sail around the world". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on April 30, 2010. Retrieved August 4, 2009.
  3. ^ "British teen becomes youngest to sail world solo". Reuters. August 27, 2009. Archived from the original on May 18, 2021. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
  4. ^ Hewitt, Michael (June 23, 2011). "Viewers enraged by 'Killing' finale". Orange County Register. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved June 23, 2011.