While most teenagers will be spending Christmas Day enjoying presents and a roast dinner, one youngster will be miles away from even the most basic home comforts.

For 15-year-old Seb Clover, Christmas Day will mark the seventh day of his attempt to become the youngest Transatlantic sailor in history.

But exactly where he will be is anybody's guess as lack of wind has delayed his progress in his 2,700-mile single-handed race against his father, Ian.

By Monday, both yachts had covered approximately 400 miles instead of the 1,000 miles hoped for, with Ian boasting a slight lead of about 21 miles.

The conditions are fickle and when the north east winds appear as they should in the next few days, Seb will get them before I do Seb's father, Ian

Seb, who set out from Tenerife on Thursday, said: "It's annoying that progress has been so slow - not least because one uses up a great deal more of everything in relation to the distance covered.

"In the worst case, this may mean that we will have to consider a quick pit stop in the Cape Verde Islands before heading west.

"We really hope this won't be necessary and the latest forecast is looking much better. We'll know more in the next day or two."

The identical 32-foot yachts are currently making their way south towards the 20� North parallel of latitude.

Seb has been in training since he was 12

There they hope to find consistent trade winds to blow them across the Atlantic.

Ian, aboard Xixia, said: "Progress has certainly been slow and, although I am ahead by 20 miles, the conditions are fickle and when the north east winds appear as they should in the next few days, Seb will get them before I do."

Isle of Wight-based Seb has been training for this race since he was 12.

If he makes it across the Atlantic he will set a new world record as the youngest single-handed Transatlantic sailor in history.

The race is now expected to finish at English Harbour, Antigua, between the 10 and 15 January.