I’m not going to demean Lauras accomplishment one bit. It is a huge one I would be proud of myself at 45 years old.
That being said, you are not comparing apples to apples when comparing Laura to Jessica Watson. Laura made her voyage sailing port to port.avoiding many things. Jessica circumnavigated NON-STOP. Huge difference
OK mainly the media that does this, not me. I know the difference, but what ya gonna do when they can barely connect two factors:{boat around world, youngest)? Just go with it.
(For those who came in late):But Laura still done good, and after watching how she did, I'm thinking that if she had decided on the nontouristy option 4, spent a year getting her boat Southern Ocean rated and training in the North Atlantic, then set out a year later (ie August 2011), by now she could have rounded Cape Horn ans been on the run home up the Atlantic.There are a number of ways of sailing solo around the world
1. going from east to west following the trade winds near the equator and using the Suez and Panama canals to avoid that bad weather down south.
2. as above but going south of Cape of Good Hope to avoid the pirate.These are fairly easy voyages and noone takes any notice how many people do it unless the solo sailor is really young.
3. Not using the canals and going West to East beneath all the continents. A lot harder, really bad weather and even if you stop, the safe harbours are a lot further apart. Sir Robin Knox Johnston keeps a list, just 181 names on it.
4. The same, but not stopping on the way. This is getting serious, maybe 70 people, so few it really doesn't make any difference if they are young or not (although I will point out that 3 of them are Australian teenagers, including Jessica Watson)5. Same waters, but the "wrong way" east to west against wind a current - down to single figures.
That's why I'm thinking the question of Better Sailor: Jessica or Laura? might have to be settled by arm wrestling.