Emilia Holden is the youngest sailor to enter this year's Azores and Back (AZAB) race at the age of 15.

The daring year ten will be sailing Nutmeg along with dad Ollie on the 2,400 mile course from Falmouth to the port of Ponta Delgada on the Island of São Miguel.

She is a keen dinghy sailor and has had some experience on the high seas - including an Atlantic circuit with her parents when she was only four years old.

Emilia, who goes to Portsmouth High School for Girls, will be preparing for her GCSEs whilst out at sea. Her dad Ollie said: "We are going to be taking a bunch of textbooks with us and doing some physics and chemistry in the ocean."

He went on to say: "We're prepared but a bit nervous. Setting out into the unknown, into the Atlantic, even at this time of year, has its challenges and its risks.

"We're looking forward to it, and hopefully we'll get to see some wildlife en route. Being out on the ocean: the stars, the wildlife and the solitude, it's something very special.

"I'm sure Emilia's looking forward to having some time off school too."

Ollie, who works for the AA in Basingstoke, has sailed Nutmeg, a Nicholson 38 yacht, 20,000 miles in the last 12 years. He said: "I'm fully confident that I know the boat. I think she's pretty ready."

The father and daughter team will be posting updates on their blog throughout the race: blog.mailasail.com/nutmeg.

The AZAB race takes place every four years. Competitors usually take between seven and ten days to complete the first leg and reach the Azores, where they have a short break to restock before setting off on the return passage to Falmouth.