An Australian schoolgirl bidding to become the youngest solo round-the-world sailor crossed the equator Thursday, in what her supporters dubbed a "significant landmark" in her record attempt.

Jessica Watson, 16, entered the northern hemisphere just over a month after leaving Sydney in her bright pink 10-metre (33-foot) yacht "Ella's Pink Lady", and two days ahead of schedule.

"All of Jessica's family and shore team are extremely proud of her achieving this significant landmark of her journey," read an official post on her website, confirming the milestone.

The teenager was passing through the Kiribati islands and was expected to reach her next major point, Chile's Cape Horn, in about 36 days, a spokesman said. She has completed roughly one-tenth of the route.

Sailing off the Horn, South America's southernmost point, is considered one of the major challenges in yachting, with strong winds and currents, large waves and icebergs.

The equator crossing and navigation around the southern landmarks of South America and South Africa are among key milestones Watson must reach to qualify for the circumnavigation record.

She hopes to complete the 23,000-nautical-mile journey in eight months, attempting to break the record set by fellow Australian Jesse Martin, then aged 18, in 1999.

Watson left Australia under a cloud of controversy after hitting a massive coal freighter during a test sail in September.

A preliminary inquiry found she had been asleep and tracking the wrong vessel when she collided with the Hong Kong-flagged Silver Yang, prompting concern that she was too young to attempt the dangerous voyage.