Jessica Watson, 16, is hoping to arrive in Sydney Harbour a few days before her 17th birthday, after setting sail in October.

She has almost finished her journey around the world with just a few stuffed toys for company. If the final leg of her journey goes to plan, Jessica will knock British teenager Mike Perham off the top spot. She will also beat his time by around two months.

The final stage of the 24,000 mile journey will be the hardest part, with the young sailor facing winds of 50mph and storms as she crosses the Great Australian Bight.

Jessica has been posting a regular blog, in which she has detailed her journey. Earlier this year she faced a 12-hour storm which turned her yacht upside down. She wrote: “It was certainly one of those times when you start questioning why you’re doing this.”

Jessica will be welcomed home to Australia with a street party.