Sibling Rivalry

Zach Sunderland, the 17-year-old who recently completed a solo circumnavigation now has a little sister in his wake. Abby Sunderland, however, plans to upstage her brother by doing it non-stop. She'll be leaving next month, just a few weeks after her sweet 16.

Her glam shots aren't quite as polished as Aussie rival Jessica Watson. Watson leaves from Sydney in a few days. Presumably, Abby plans a West Coast departure, same as her brother.

Slocum Meets Google Earth

Here's a fascinating resource we found recently that traces Joshua Slocum's historic voyage on Google Earth. Waypoints are marked and text from the classic tale are attached. Great way to waste a few hours on the Web.

Here you go: Voyage of Spray download

Damning report on 'youngest circumnavigator'

You may have heard of Aussie Jessica Watson, the 16-year-old girl who is planning to go around alone in a pretty pink S&S 34.

But before the thing even started, she collided with a Chinese freighter off Australia's Gold Coast on Sept. 9.

Just bad luck? Maybe not, say inspectors from Maritime Safety Queensland. They cite her sloppy log keeping and speculate that she dozed off just prior to the collision.

Still, that's not stopping her attempt to one-up Zach Sunderland, the American lad who set the 'youngest' record recently. Also, Sir Richard lends his support, saying "she's not a baby anymore."