Obviously, money is part of the problem here. If her father were not enabling her by providing her with a boat, as well as his consent, she would not be able to even consider doing this venture unless she worked to raise the money herself to buy a boat and fit it out and provision it, or could find a sponsor (doubtful on the latter). The father should just have said, "Go for it, if you can pay for it."

I also agree that the World Records-whatever-it-is should NOT include official records for the youngest person to circumnavigate solo. It's ridiculous. Are we going to end up with an 8-year-old going around the world on an Opti?

P.S. This has nothing at all to do with whether or not Laura would be CAPABLE of doing it.