A Dutch court has ruled that teenage sailor Laura Dekker is free to go ahead with her attempt to become the youngest person to sail solo around the world.

"The court rejects the request for the extension of supervision" by the child protection authorities over 14-year-old Laura, judge Suzanne Kuypers said in the Middelburg district court in the south of the Netherlands.
 
"The supervision of the child is lifted with immediate effect."
 
The child protection services had asked the court to extend the supervision order for a further 12 months, but the court turned down the request. This means formal responsibility for Laura now returns to her parents, who both support her sailing ambitions.
 
To set a new record as the youngest person to complete such a round-the-world solo trip, Laura Dekker would need to complete the estimated two-year voyage before she turns 17 on 20 September 2012.
 
source: RNW/ANP