Zac accomplished a great sailing record　

ザックの樹立した記録

単独世界一周最年少記録かどうかは、米国では大きな論争になっているようだ。帆走記録として認めないとするグループが上げている理由は、以下の2点だ。
１．パナマ運河を通ったときや出入港時に、エンジンを使用して走行したことがある。
２．国際セーリング連盟(ISAF)が支持するthe World Speed Sailing Record Council (WSSRC)が認めていないから。

私が所属するASA (American Sailing Association) は、ザックのスポンサーの一員となり、記録の公式認定を行った。
論争の背景には、政治的な立場の違いもあるようだ。私はザックのセーリング記録に、何ら問題ないという立場で、論争に加わっている。
以下のコメントを論争の場となっているサイトへ投稿した。

“Nice job but no sailing record” is absolutely wrong.

It is very sad to read such a wrong, petty and prejudiced article here.
“Nice job but no sailing record” is absolutely wrong. It is a fact that
Zac Sunderland has accomplished the feat of being the youngest solo
circumnavigator on record. The controversy surrounding this
accomplishment is wrong for two main reasons:

1. Authorization
WSSRC is not the authority for all great adventure sailing records as
the name says.  Their authority is only valid if people agree and nobody
knows about WSSRC in Japan. Why does Zac’s record have to be authorized
by WSSRC? My record is not recognized by WSSRC. How about Captain Joshua
Slocum or Magellan’s circumnavigation?

2. Diesel propulsion and route
Recalling Magellan and Slocum’s record circumnavigations, they chose
routes and used propulsion methods that would also be disputed by the
WSSRC.
Victoria was towed into Seville to finish her last sail to homeport
against the stream on the Guadalquivir River. The towing boats used
rowing propulsion.
Captain Joshua Slocum also used oars and you can see him on Spray
maneuvering with an oar on page 164 of his book “Sailing alone around
the world.”
I myself also used oar propulsion to leave docks.

How can you say that Magellan’s, Slocum’s and my circumnavigation are
not sailing around the world records? Zac accomplished something very
great and the people who dispute this seem very petty.

Zac Sunderland’s circumnavigation was a great challenge and a remarkable
human achievement. It’s not only that he set a world record of the
youngest solo sailor around the world but Zac shows us in the modern age
how a 17 year man can come to become an accomplished adventurer.

I greatly admire Zac’s great adventure and can relate to the challenge
as a solo circumnavigator in a small sail boat. The bravery he showed us
is a bright star not only in our sailing community but for all of
humanity.

Yoh Aoki
President, ASA Japan
Guinness Book of Records holder, Solo circumnavigation in the smallest
boat, 21 ft Ahodori, 1974