TWO Dutch child care agencies battled yesterday over whether a 14-year-old sailor is ready to embark on a risky solo voyage around the world.

The mother of a 14-year-old Dutch girl who wants to sail solo around the world said in an open letter published today that she has given up her opposition to her daughter’s trip.

A DUTCH court began sitting yesterday to decide whether to strip custody from the father of Laura Dekker, a 14-year-old locked in a battle with the state over a plan to sail solo around the world.

A teenage sailor who ran away from home and travelled alone to the Caribbean can remain in her father’s custody, a Dutch court said today.

A teenage sailor faced the possibility of being removed from her father’s custody today as she returned to the Netherlands after disappearing from home and flying to the Caribbean.

Runaway teenage sailor Laura Dekker will face questions from Dutch police and social services today after her 5,000-mile trek to a Caribbean island.

Teenage sailor Laura Dekker has been missing since Friday and Dutch police have alerted neighbouring countries to monitor airports.

A Dutch court has ruled that a 14-year-old girl is not yet experienced enough to set off on a record-breaking solo sailing trip around the world.

A 16-YEAR-OLD Australian steered her bright pink yacht out of Sydney Harbour yesterday on Sunday to start her bid to become the youngest person to sail solo and unassisted around the world.

The mother of Dutch teenager Laura Dekker today said she is against her daughter’s plan to try to sail solo around the world.

A Dutch court today put a 13-year-old girl under the temporary care of state authorities, delaying her hopes of becoming the youngest person to sail solo around the world.