Teenage solo sailor rescued in Indian Ocean

SYDNEY - A French fishing boat picked up solo sailor Abby Sunderland and was expected to return with the 16-year-old American to Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean, Australian officials said Saturday.

The Californian had been feared lost in a storm halfway through a round-the-world attempt, but was located alive and well aboard her crippled 12-metre yacht by an Australian spotter plane Friday.

“The crew of the Ile De La Reunion conducted the rescue with a boat launched from the fishing vessel,” the Australian Maritime Safety Authority said.

“The master of the Ile De La Reunion has reported Ms. Sunderland is safe and in good health.”

Sunderland set off emergency beacons Thursday after her boat, named Wild Eyes, lost its mast during a storm packing winds of 90 kilometres per hour.

She began her round-the-world journey in January, hoping to trump Australian Jessica Watson’s mark and become the youngest circumnavigator.

Watson, who was five months older than Sunderland when she set off from Sydney, completed the trip May 15, three days shy of her 17th birthday.

Technical problems forced Sunderland into port in South Africa in April, shattering her dream of a solo-and-unassisted record and of going one better than brother Zac, who sailed around the world last year at the age of 17.