AN intrepid teenager hopes to be taking to the high seas this summer in an international boat race.

Kirsteen Davis, a pupil at King's School, Worcester, hopes to compete in the Tall Ships Race 2003 on the Holland to Finland leg.

The 20-day trip aims to bring young people from all around the world together and Kirsteen is hoping to join 10 others, plus three crew who will be advising them.

But the 15-year-old needs to raise £400, which will pay for her flights and the actual trip and is looking for support from the local community to help her.

Challenge

Kirsteen, who is from Lower Howsell Road in Malvern, said she believes the experience would be a great challenge for her.

"My cousin did it last year and we were talking about it over Christmas," said Kirsteen.

"She gave me the information and I decided to do it.

"My parents are a little worried but they know I can handle it," she added.

During the voyage Kirsteen will be required to carry out a variety of the day-to-day task from domestic duties to plotting courses and steering the 62-foot long vessel.

She will leave Delfzijl, in Holland on Monday, July 14 and sail to via the Kiel Canal to Gdynia, in Poland before arriving in Turku, in Finland on Thursday, July 31.

Anyone who wants to help Kirsteen raise the money needed can e-mail her at davisatthehill@aol.com