How Guinness cheats the Vogels out of their record

The Vogel family with their sons Davy and Daryl travelled the Panamericana from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, on bicycles. 10 on departure and 13 on arrival, the twins were the youngest to do this trip (the previous record holder is quoted to be 18), and should therefore be holding the Guinness World Record. This was also clarified between Nancy and Guinness on departure. Now, however, Guinness declares to have changed their ethic view on “youngest” records and will no longer recognize it.

While not all Guinness world records are ethically proper, Torre deRoche mentions in a blog post such absurdities as the world’s largest augmented breasts, one could still hold they at least concern consenting adults, and records with children were particularly despicable. The Vogels, however, are above conspicion of having abused their children for the record, they claim it was the kids’ own idea, and also they have made the trip along with them, sweating and freezing along with them, caring for their safety and education.

Additionally, a superficial inspection of Guinness’ web site shows that since the Vogels’ departure abt 49 new “youngest” records have been recognized, the last on 18th May, 2 months after arrival of the family, and at least in 2010 also records involving minors.

All this will do no harm to the Vogels. They did the trip foremostly for themselves, have experienced and shared with us readers adventures that noone can take from them, and are currently showing they can also manage to grab foot back in our “civilized” world. The two teenagers have learned on this trip that there are more important things than a framed document on a wall. Still it would be an important and well-earned symbol to them, and they are cheated out of that. Therefore I think Guinness should consider carefully (even if it might basically be a good idea) whether to change the rules during an ongoing record attempt.