16 Year-Old Sailing Prodigy Zac Sunderland to Attempt Youngest Solo Circumnavigation

LOS ANGELES--(Business Wire)--
When 16 year-old Zac Sunderland of Ventura, California steps
aboard his 36' yacht, Intrepid on May 31, he will be the youngest
American sailor since 1965 to attempt a solo global circumnavigation.

That year, 16 year-old Robin Lee Graham departed Los Angeles,
California but Graham did not complete his voyage until 1970, at the
age of 20. Graham's book The Dove was one of Zac's inspirations. Zac
Sunderland will sail west from Los Angeles on approximately the same
course as Graham, but looks to complete his voyage in 11-months,
returning to Los Angeles in April, 2009 while still 17 years-old.

The home schooled A-student settled on becoming an Adventurer,
following the footsteps of his other hero and friend, Aussie, Jesse
Martin, who completed his own circumnavigation at age 18. The eldest
of seven children of Laurence and Marianne Sunderland, the family boat
was literally Zac's first home. He has already logged over 15,000 sea
hours, and when the Sunderlands were confronted with their son's
decision, they realized that Zac has mastery of all the skills
necessary to make the voyage, and that age is not an issue in their
son's attempt.

Zac explains, "I feel everything in my life thus far has been
leading to this decision. I'm totally focused on preparing for
departure and undertaking what I hope will be the first of many
adventures of my lifetime."

In January of this year, Zac found and purchased a 36' Islander
which is currently undergoing a major refit to reinforce her for blue
water conditions. Once Zac's decision was made, the last few months
have been spent in non-stop preparation, every minute of which is
being captured by Ocean Rescue TV.

The yacht will include the most sophisticated interactive
communication equipment available and every safety precaution is being
taken into consideration. Upgrades include all new heavy-duty running
and standing rigging, chain plates, stanchions and lifelines, new keel
bolts and custom fiberglass hard dodger, all new through hulls and
seacocks and reinforcement of key bulkheads. The final phase will be
the installation and coordination of advanced electrical systems and
electronics, alternate power source systems and watermaker.

The departure date is now May 31, 2008 from Barton Chase Park in
Marina del Rey. Sometime between the hours of 10:30 am and 12:00 noon,
Zac Sunderland will board the Intrepid and begin the first solo
adventure of his lifetime. Daily updates will be available at
www.zacsunderland.com.

For Zac Sunderland
Bobbi Cown, 818-980-2372
or
Patti Mitsui 818-766-0443

Copyright Business Wire 2008