Teen ends solo sailing quest

A 16-YEAR-OLD US girl attempting to sail solo around the world ended her quest to become the youngest to make the trip nonstop and will head to South Africa for boat repairs.

Abby Sunderland wrote on her blog that it would be “foolish and irresponsible” to keep going after losing use of her boat’s main autopilot.

She expects to land in Cape Town in about two weeks.

Abby, from Southern California, embarked on January 23 after brother Zac completed a westerly solo circumnavigation at the age of 17.

Another 16-year-old, Australian Jessica Watson, is expected to complete her nonstop solo voyage and arrive in Sydney Harbour as early as this week.