Posted on 05/14/2010 11:21:10 PM PDT by Steelfish
Australia Hails Jessica Watson, 16, For Sailing Record
Jessica Watson was greeted by thousands of Sydneysiders. Australians have gathered around Sydney harbour to welcome back teenager Jessica Watson from her record round-the-world sailing adventure. The 16-year-old is said to be the youngest person to sail non-stop, solo and unassisted around the world.
But her record has been questioned with claims that she has not sailed far enough. She will also not be recognised by the World Speed Sailing Record Council, as it has ended its under-18 category.
Wearing pink
Ms Watson sailed into Sydney harbour on Saturday, seven months after leaving on an arduous voyage some critics said was too dangerous for someone so young. If I haven't been sailing around, then it beats me what I've been doing out here all this time! Jessica Watson's blog. Thousands of well-wishers lined the harbour and watched from boats as Ms Watson sailed her pink, 10m (34ft) yacht Ella's Pink Lady over the finishing line. Family, friends and Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd have gathered to greet her. Many of the onlookers wore pink to match the boat. Many more Australians are watching the event broadcast live on television.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.bbc.co.uk ...
It is a triumph, but I know as a parent I would have a great deal of trouble with my 16 year old sailing around the world alone.
Most of the spectator-sportsmen of today can not even maneuver a row boat on a placid lake.
Agree- The routes lines tell the story!
So few heroes these days. Bravo!
Typical Aussie show-off .... 8<)
(Just had to go north to cross the equator instead of staying in the southern hemisphere the whole time.....
That should be a no-brainer. Most of Magellan's crew died in the crossing of the Pacific.
(And Pigafetta was the first person to sail around the world, not Magellan. Magellan got involved in local politics in Cebu and got himself killed en route).
I have never followed her story but tonight I read a little bit of her blog. One line jumped out at me while she was describing bad weather. “....I’m just going to have to toughen up some more and deal with it.”
I love her grit.
I've done both (except on a Destroyer). Were I sailing for pleasure, I'd waste several weeks to avoid The Horn.
Going through the Panama Canal is like Lazy River Log Ride at the amusement park.
A 34 foot yacht is like a small mansion floating on water, can make 7 months at sea certainly bearable. Couldn’t be happier for her and her accomplishments. I see she has a book contract already, hopefully a movie too.
Mmmm, how does one afford that at 16?
You bring up minor details but from the link at the end of the article...”Ms Watson has reportedly sold her story to Rupert Murdoch’s News Limited for A$700,000 ($625,000).”
First thing I noticed: she went around the Horn. Good on ya, Jess!
There's one group that really counts: her peers
Just six people have solo circumnavigated the world under the age of 21
. Here are 5 of them
Back row, from left: Mike Perham, Jesse Martin, Brian Caldwell, David Dicks. On the right, Ian Keirnan, who was older than 21 when he did it.
Good on ya is right!
You go Girl!
I don't consider the accomplishments of rich kids news worthy. Anyone with mega bucks can do anything.
Show me a kid that delivered newspapers, saved his/her money for two years, bought a $1200 sailboat and sailed around the world w/o electronics.... THAT is news worthy.
I would guess mum and dad dropped in on her in their sea plane occasionally, and would have been there had the weather turned bad. We will never know.
Yeah. She did the arrival in style. Sailing into 15 kt wind, 3m swell, she's got full sail up. Probably a little more sail than conditions warranted so she's having to work pretty hard trimming sail. Bitter cold autumn wind, and she's wearing shorts and poloshirt. When asked about that, her explanation is "It's a nice sunny day"
I don’t why you make conditions on accomplishments especially for a minor. She played the cards dealt her at age 16 and has done more than most people can ever imagine.
Is there something wrong with her looks too in your mind?
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