Posted on 06/14/2010 9:50:22 AM PDT by Ron C.
No record, no sponsors, no boat.
A very good question. One that I am not qualified to answer as I am completely sure I do not know all the facts.
This is a fairly straightforward subject in my opinion.
The family has made a mess in a quest for personal gain.
Others had to risk their lives, stop their work and come bail her out. Those French sailors have mouths to feed too.
Do the Sunderland's actions reflect a mindset worthy of conservative support?
You are correct. My bad.
And lets not forget the poor planning that put her at risk in the Indian Ocean in winter.
I thought it was the fact she started this goal at 13 and it took all this time to gain the experience, get the sponsors, and obtain a custom built boat (apparently all with very little money of their own to use). Time was running out for the record attempt due to her age at the conclusion of the attempt. (she would turn 17 before she landed).
The decision to continue, even after having to take port (violating the 'non-stop' condition of the trip), was made after the fact (of attempting the challenge). I would not have made the same choice, but I'm not her or her parents.
If there was no risk, no one would pay any attention, would they.
Can't sell laundry detergent that way.
Never heard of it.
Now, the Titanic, it sunk.
But, the designer of 'WILD EYES' probably thought his high-tech mast made of the latest carbon-fiber technology was unbreakable.
Which he would have remarked on had the waves not smashed it into pieces, and Abby been successful.
Quite handily since he had NO sailing knowledge or tech goodies. And I believe that this beginner also got his ship back to port. This article says his boat overturned. He also got a load of bad fuel. However, he still made it back to port on September 17th. It speaks to age and wisdom over youth and exuberance.
A huge asteroid hitting the Earth would probably put a quick end to it.
Other than that, you are just going to have to depend on the intelligence of 9-15 year olds to just say no.
That's the point. I wouldn't market my kid. Actually, at one time we were doing very badly. I have a lovely daughter. She was 4 at the time and I was told that I should get her into modeling, that we could eat regularly. I refused.
Yeah but you know there are loon parents that will do it.
It was good yapping with ya. Take care!
Yes, but not much. The risk and the cost is the same.
So now.... What 'legal' age do we use to 'enforce' our personal judgments of what she and her family can or cannot do?
Do we go by the state they live in?
Or am I getting offtrack ?
What would you do to 'right' this situation?
So should it be outlawed?
Another poster said that no one recognizes records under the age of 18. I don't see as there is any alternative other than societal disapproval of risking kids just for a record. There will always be parents that others consider to be, um, "choice challenged".
I have to go. Bye!
"Hard to port, Captain, ere we roll under the waves."
; )
Actually I don't think our opinions are that different.
We applaud her goals, and her efforts, but she sure had some bat**** crazy parents to plot her route through the worst possible area and then hope for the best.
Of course, if she had been ready earlier, she could have taken a safer route, and ended up dead anyway.
It was my understanding that the law of the sea was that the nearest ship was required to come to assistance. I think it possible that 'notoriety' , 'attention', etc. had something to do with them wanting to be the first to find her boat.
If I was out there, I would drop everything to go to the rescue.
Wouldn't you?
DJ: Are you going to swallow that.... hook, line, and sinker?
Were those Freeper sailors challenging a world record based on age?
Have you asked Scott Palin if he races the Iditarod only on the best route, in optimal weather?
We did grow up in a different ERA though. When I was a kid it was, “Go out and play”. I never let my kids out in the front yard alone.
You know, you are not helping your argument.
Abby sailed far farther then he did, without the supervision of a ‘boat race’, was far better prepared, and tackled challenges that this man could not do.
And your argument is that it proves he was better than she is? The proof is in the sailing. Abby sailed from California, around the Horn, across the Atlantic.
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