Abby Sunderland’s father, Laurence Sunderland had a great response to the criticism that it was far too dangerous to allow a 16-year-old to sail around the world by herself:
“Sailing and life in general is dangerous. Teenagers drive cars. Does that mean teenagers shouldn’t drive a car?” Laurence Sunderland told the AP. “I think people who hold that opinion have lost their zeal for life. They’re living in a cotton-wool tunnel to make everything safe.”