It was not too long ago when Zac Sunderland and Mike Perham won back-to-back records for being the youngest people to sail around the globe, solo. Yesterday, an even younger teenager set off on a quest to outdo them both . . . . . . . And this time around it's a girl!

16-year old Jessica Watson, left aboard her sail boat, 'Ella's Pink Lady' from the beautiful Sydney harbor after waving a tearful goodbye to her family, friends and thousands of well-wishers who had come to see her off.

If all goes well, her 21,000 nautical mile, non-stop, unassisted journey will take about 8 months, during which she will pass by Northern New Zealand, Fiji, as well as, the Southern tips of Africa and South America.

Just like the others, she will be in constant touch with her family through phone and e-mail and, will be sharing her daily adventures with the world, via her blog.

Jessica had originally planned to leave a little earlier, but was delayed thanks to a collision of her boat with a cargo ship, and then, strong winds at the Sydney harbor. However, these setbacks did not deter the plucky youngster who has set her heart and mind on this challenging voyage.

If successful, Jessica will not only outdo Zac and Mike in age, but also by the kind of record she breaks - That's because thanks to repair issues with their boats, neither boy could break the record of completing their sailing trip, 'non-stop and unassisted'. That record still belongs to 18-year old Australian, Jesse Martin, who completed his solo world trip in 1999 - without stopping or getting any help.

However, Jessica better hurry - for Zac's younger sister, 16-year old Abby Sunderland is getting her 'ducks' in line, as we go to press, and is scheduled to start sailing in November to try break the same record! Way to go girls! To follow Jessica's daily adventures, check out her site www.jessicawatson.com.au/

sources: jessicawatson.com.au, latimesblog.com, news.com.au