Australian teen completes round-the-world sail

[Divine Discontent]

Source: AP

SYDNEY – After a seven month journey that spanned the globe, an Australian teen sailor crossed the finish line of her round-the-world journey Saturday, becoming the youngest person to sail solo, nonstop and unassisted around the world.

Thousands of spectators erupted into cheers as 16-year-old Jessica Watson maneuvered her pink 34-foot (10-meter) yacht into Sydney Harbour, the finale to an epic adventure in which she battled 40-foot (12-meter) waves, homesickness and critics who said she'd never make it home alive.

The teen was set to touch land for the first time in 210 days when she docks at the Opera House, where she will be greeted by her parents, whose decision to let their daughter attempt such a feat was seen by some as an act of insanity.

Watson, from Buderim, north of Brisbane in Queensland state, sailed out of Sydney on Oct. 18. She traveled northeast through the South Pacific and across the equator, south to Cape Horn at the tip of South America, across the Atlantic Ocean to South Africa, through the Indian Ocean and around southern Australia.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100515/ap_on_re_as/as_australia_young_sailor

---

Just WOW! You go young lady, most impressive!

[lumberjack_jeff]

1. I just lost a buck.

Good job Jessica!

[Bette Noir]

2. Brava, young Jess!

First, I want you to write a book. You did what I only dreamed of doing; now I want to read all about it. Next, get yourself some endorsement deals. If you play your cards right, you'll never have to work a boring job in your life.

[Swagman]

8. don't worry..I reckon the book, TV and movie deals were there waiting for her !

and good on you Jessica !:fistbump:

[woo me with science]

18. And this makes a helluva college entrance essay! nt

[Oldtimeralso]

3. Great Job by a Great Person!

Proud to K&R a teens accomplishment

[Solly Mack]

4. Bravo!!

[AmericaIsGreat]

5. 7 months by yourself sailing across the world at 16?

Yeah, I'd say that's pretty fucking impressive

[Iowa]

6. Incredible! Bravo.

[w4rma]

7. Jessica Watson kicks ass even more than she did when she left. (nt)

[iandhr]

9. wow

thats awesome.

[Divine Discontent]

10. she is amazing. I loved reading about her passing the time chatting to a bird she named Silly

that would sit on her boat, and her saying she'd sing loud and didn't care because no one could hear it, etc... such a fun person. She was quick to say to the leader of Australia that she was no hero as he said, just a person who believed in her dream.

[Codeine]

11. Fucking kick ass.

My hat is off to this brave young person. :)

[BlueCollar]

12. Well done Jessica!!!

Stories like these renew my faith in the human spirit...

Can't wait for the book or the film.

:thumbsup:

[truthisfreedom]

13. Absolutely insanely wonderful!!!

I'm so glad she made it back!

Spectacular.

[Lucky Luciano]

14. Awesome!

Now where is the DU contingent of haters who think the parents are the worst human beings in the world...surprised they have not chimed in yet.

[Faygo Kid]

15. Wow. At 16. Not for all, but what an achievement.

Impressive. Most impressive.

[Aslanspal]

16. How did she do it???

Love the shirt...because Whaling does suck..you go girl

My big question in the age of pirates ...how did she do it???

I cannot wait for the book or movie.

Congrats you are the new "Hit Girl"

[greiner3]

17. I hope she doesn't play softball;

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x465105

[hayu_lol]

19. Her book will be out in August...

This link should lead you direct to the latest 'gallery' of 97 photos...many of her crossing the finish line:

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/gallery-e6frewxl-1225770865054?page=1

as a back up:

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au

I've been following her almost daily blog entries:

http://www.jessicawatson.com.au/_blog/official_Jessica_Watson_Blog/page/1

Her life will never be the same again...a reminder perhaps of Lindburg and Amelia Earhart among others.

[cbayer]

20. Jessica Watson, the girl who sailed round the world, comes home to cheers

Source: guardian.co.uk

Seven-month voyage said to make Watson, 16, the youngest sailor to circle the globe solo, non-stop and unassisted



A teenage girl who sailed around the world unaided was greeted by thousands of cheering supporters on her return home to Sydney today after her seven-month voyage.

In her 30ft yacht, Ella's Pink Lady, Jessica Watson, 16, crossed the finish line of her round-the-world journey, which supporters claim makes her the youngest sailor to circle the globe solo, non-stop and unassisted.

"I'm completely overwhelmed. I just don't know what to think and what to say at the moment," Watson said in an interview broadcast live on a screen outside the Sydney Opera House. "It's all a bit much but absolutely amazing."

"She said she'd sail around the world, and she has," her mother, Julie, said as she watched her daughter cruise past the finish line from a nearby boat. "She's home."

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/may/15/jessica-watson-sailed-world-home

---

I couldn't be prouder if I were her own mother.

Congratulations, Jessica!!


:yourock:

[Dappleganger]

21. Way to go, Jessica!

What a smart young woman. :)

[Catshrink]

22. Excellent!

So nice to have good news to cheer about!

:headbang:

[JimWis]

23. Wow. An amazing feat.

[pinto]

24. "She said she'd sail around the world, and she has"

:thumbsup:

[elleng]

25. Jessica's blog:

http://www.jessicawatson.com.au/_blog/Official_Jessica_Watson_Blog/

'The teenager's feat will not be considered an official world record because the World Speed Sailing Record Council discontinued its "youngest" category, which was held by another Australian, Jesse Martin, after he completed the journey in 1999 at the age of 18.

Although Watson sailed nearly 23,000 nautical miles, some sailing enthusiasts have argued that she did not venture far enough north of the equator for her journey to count as a true round-the-world sail as defined by the record council's rules. Watson's managers have dismissed those claims and argued she doesn't need to adhere to the council's rules since they will not be recognising her voyage.'

From her blog, bit of an ad. Useful info for us, I think:

'gave myself a pampering with all my Ella Bache goodies. I'm not just saying this because they're my sponsor. Ella Bache really has some amazing
products. It says a lot that after 6 months of salt and wind, my skin is better than it's ever been! I highly recommend their sunscreens and after-sun products.'

http://www.jessicawatson.com.au/_blog/Official_Jessica_Watson_Blog/post/A_Day_Off,_Headwinds_and_What_Next/

[cbayer]

26. Her blogs are great. This sponsor made her trip possible and the way she gave them

blog time is really entertaining at times. She is both an incredibly strong and secure woman and a girly girl. What a great role model for young women.

This girl had four total knockdowns while coming around Tasmania this past month and would still talk about the sunscreen. If I had 1/100th of her guts, I would be the bravest person I have ever know.


:hi:

[elleng]

48. Brave, smart and talented, AND

'Here I am almost the whole way around the world and there's millions of things I can't wait to do next!

I've got all sorts of plans (most of which Dad isn't too thrilled about!) and there's a ton of other sailing to look forward to. But for a while, I think re-adjusting to life on land, keeping up with some of the exciting things planned for me, finishing my book and documentary, getting my driver's license and finishing school will be more than enough to keep me busy. I'm also desperate to do a bit of travelling. I know that sounds a bit crazy, but I mean the sort of traveling where you stop places and meet people!'

She doesn't have a driver's license! I fully expect to hear a lot more from her, in years to come! and she writes pretty well, eh?

[Arctic Dave]

27. All these lazy, good for nothin teenagers......Um, wait a second.

Congratulations young lady.

[gateley]

28. Wow. Can you imagine? I'm so impressed, Jessica -- congratulations! nt

[aquart]

29. Now she gets to spend her whole life looking back.

Or do you figure she'll top this by doing something more reckless and pointless?

[cbayer]

32. You might want to take a look at her interview today.

What she did was neither reckless nor pointless, IMO. She is an inspiration for young people, and especially girls, to meet a challenge, test themselves and persevere. What? Should she be working in a fast food restaurant somewhere? That's pointless.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TN-OVocSm4E

[aquart]

34. That's the only other thing she could have been doing?

But all the other things wouldn't have involved this kind of massive ego trip, would they? The other things she could have been doing, things that might actually HELP people, would have been quiet, unpublicized and largely anonymous. Can't have that for such a special girl, can we?

If her boat had gotten into trouble, how many people would have had to risk their lives to save her on her unnecessary publicity tour?

[cbayer]

38. Let me guess. You are one of the people that said she wouldn't make it before she left.

Hmmm... 7 months alone at sea facing challenges that most people couldn't even dream of. Living completely off the grid and further exploring the ability to live and travel using only renewable resources. Showing that young people can accomplish anything if they put their minds to it.

Yep, massively egotistical and solely about the publicity.

Good thing there are parents out there with more positive attitudes about taking on challenges and accomplishing goals. Wow, where did all this negativity come from?

:hi:

[Divine Discontent]

53. I'm not sure why some posters always have to run down things that are obviously uplifting & exciting

it's a shame, because it really never stops, and the negativity is in pretty much every post he makes.

[Posteritatis]

62. Cynicism's seen as a virtue, really

Add to that the growing tendency these days to bring kids up in a way that they can't cross the street unescorted before they're near voting age, and stories like this become some peoples' worst nightmares.

[Violet_Crumble]

56. You do realise her first attempt was aborted coz she had an accident ?

I always thought her parents were either stage-parents who pushed her down this path of instant fame and wealth, or they're incredibly irresponsible parents who gave in to what she wanted despite the danger involved. Either way they really suck as parents...

As for her, good on her for becoming an overnight millionaire and doing it by possessing only slightly more talent than Corey Worthington. I dont' very often agree with anything Aquart says, but she's closer to the mark for me than a bunch of Americans in this thread putting Jessica Watson on a pedestal...

[Dappleganger]

42. LOL

Pointless and reckless is probably what invented most of what you use and enjoy today.

[lunatica]

47. The cold water bucket brigade!

Way to go!

[JI7]

51. reckless and pointless ? that's what most other teens do everyday

with the stupid parties, malls etc .

[t0dd]

52. I wanted to respond to this post with contempt

but I really just pity you. I know nothing about you except that to label such a wonderful achievement "pointless" speaks volumes about your character. Have some respect for this girl: she did something far greater than I bet you ever have or will.

[Violet_Crumble]

57. Now, let's all get back to humping Jessica Watson's leg and buying her brand new merchandi$e!

Just so you know, I don't respect her at all and find it bizarre that you appear to be insisting that everyone has to share yr OTT adoration of Jessica Watson. What she did was incredibly reckless and there's no way anyone can argue that. Where I disagree with Aquart is that I think what she did wasn't pointless - after all, the point was fame and fortune, which is coming to her in droves. Anyway, I think you have to respect that not everyone else has to agree with you on what you think are wonderful achievements worth gasping over. I know I got sick and tired of the non-stop publicity and the live coverage on telly and that may taint my view, but I don't see anything particularly wonderful about what really was a dangerous and idiotic thing for someone that age to do...

[t0dd]

58. OTT like your post?

Let me try and wade through all the bitterness and asinine content of your post to address a few points: 1) I'm not gasping and weeping over what she did, but I think it's impressive and deserves respect. She must have overcome a tremendous number of obstacles to survive her journey. 2) I think it's very cynical of you to assume her sole reason for doing it was to gain fame; maybe it was a calling for her, and she did it just to be adventurous. 3) The number of people that have sailed around the world is quite small, so I do think it's quite the accomplishment. Sorry she's not at home refreshing her Myspace inbox instead. Taking risks is the best way to find meaning in life and to define yourself. 4) IMO, negative posts like yours are out of jealousy: "let's all get back to humping Jessica Watson's leg and buying her brand new merchandi$e".. "don't respect her at all".. "the point was fame and fortune".. "sick and tired of the non-stop publicity and the live coverage".. give it a rest. you're a huge downer. Just because some of us are happy for her doesn't mean we are exalting her to a plane above the rest of humanity (but if we did, she could join your ego up there!)

[Violet_Crumble]

61. Nothing OTT about noting that yr demanding everyone else respect her...

A few points:

1. Disagreeing with yr OTT leg-humping isn't bitter and asinine or a display of jealousy...

2. I've always been rather 'meh' about the entire thing and find people like you who go all fan-grrl or boyy about it to be really OTT...

3. The point is fame and fortune and what she did was incredibly reckless. That's a fact, and yr shrieking that it's not and the only alternative to taking a very reckless sailing trip is to sit on Myspace is so illogical and extreme as to defy belief...

4. All the gasping and awe-filled wonder from you is not merely being happy for someone - it's just damn silly. I'm happy that she survived, but she should never have put herself in that position in the first place. There's many, many people who do things that are amazing every day but the reason I suspect you and others like you aren't fawning all over them is they're not getting all the massive media attention Jessica Watson got.

[Danmel]

30. I don't know how her parents slept

I'd be a wreck. 7 months alone at sea?
Wow.

[aquart]

35. And neither of them in jail for it. Wow.

[Liberal_in_LA]

37. isn't this the same family that let the son do the same?

[cbayer]

39. No. Those are the Sunderlands out of Marina del Rey, California.

Zack completed his circumnavigation last year, but he made many stops and had a lot of assistance while in port. Abbey just pulled into CapeTown for repairs to her autopilot, so will not reach her goal of a non-stop circumnavigation this year, but she does plan to continue once repairs are completed.

I have met both of them and their family. They are all amazing.

:hi:

[Liberal_in_LA]

41. ok... different family. Thanks :-)

[Danmel]

31. I don't know how her parents slept

I'd be a wreck. 7 months alone at sea?
Wow.

[Judi Lynn]

45. I've wondered about that, too. Glad you mentioned it. n/t

[bongbong]

33. Congrats, but ....

I'm a long-time sailor (racing & cruising), and read at a lot of sailing blogs like scuttlebutt.

There is an on-going debate on some of them that she actually didn't fulfill the requirements of a "true" circumnavigation because of her route. The analogy is, that in the extreme case, you could do a "circumnavigation" by sailing around the (soon to be ice-free) North Pole, a course of maybe 1/2 mile in total.

This is not to deny her accomplishment at all - it was terrific and not something I would've tried when I was a teenager. Tens of thousands of miles of bluewater sailing on your own that young is a Big Deal. But technically it wasn't, believe it or not, a real circumnavigation.

BTW, this post is meant to be informative only. If you want to flame me, send it to /dev/null.

[rocktivity]

36. Between the volcanic ash and the scum from the oil leak

she's got a BIG cleanup job ahead of her!

:D
rocktivity

[skyounkin]

40. Gratz Jessica!!

You are an inspiration for commitment!

[pundaint]

43. Reaction as litmus test. A skilled sailing family and group outfitted an adventurous and

confident young woman with an obviously sea-worthy craft, and she went out and did something amazing.

I don't have that kind of personal courage, but I'm way supportive of those who do. It must be an incredible feeling of freedom for her.

This is the same kind of commitment I appreciate in many Olympic athletes.

I'm glad for the daring among us.

I'm sad for those who are threatened rather than inspired by excellence. They reelect mediocrity.

[Blandocyte]

44. In sorta unrelated news

teens born into fewer privileges than Jessica found potable water today and thus can survive another 24 hours or so.

[Divine Discontent]

54. wow.

you have no idea how this will strengthen her, and make her be an active force for positive things she believes in (like the anti-whaling shirt she has on above). what is so wrong with positive news stories for about 2% of you? yes, she clearly comes from a wealthy family, and I'm not one who respects wealth by any means, but isn't it possible we should just be happy for her accomplishment without being super sarcastic about how she's born into privilege and others are barely able to survive?

[lunatica]

46. She is amazing!

I think she's destined to start and finish many large projects in her life. She is amazing!

[ladjf]

49. What an extraordinary young woman! nt

[Withywindle]

50. Congratulations, Jessica!!

:party:


And yes, whaling does suck.

[Odin2005]

55. Brave young lady!

Love her "Whaling Sucks" shit! :)

[hayu_lol]

59. There has been a lot of negativity about her...

circumnavigation according to the current rules. Quite a bit of negativity on her blog from Australians. One individual claimed that she should have sailed 1500 Km further north when the rules state simply that one has to 'cross' the equator. Sheesh, 1500 Kms further north would put her just off the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Waikiki. Christmas Island is clearly 25-50 miles north of the equator and she circled that island. Note that she did a video shot after crossing the equator paying her own private homage to King Neptune by pouring a bucket of salt water over her head. :^)

Super elites arguing against the validity of her circumnavigation, are much like the stuffed shirts on the Olympic Committee.

One can argue that she was a rich girl. Once that 16 year old got on her boat and sailed out of Sydney Harbor, it was just her, her boat, and Mother Earth along with good old Murphy. This is an outstanding accomplishment and Jessica rightfully joins the fewer than 250 people who have circled the globe since Josh Slocum and his Spray did it for the first time in 1898.

She is now 17. Birthday was 5-17. We need more role models like this for the current generation of youth, not fewer. Happy Birthday Jessica Watson.

[Matilda]

63. Her 17th birthday will be tomorrow, Tuesday 18th.

I think she showed enormous courage and resilience to undertake such a journey, and it only remains to be seen
whether she will just take the money or use her celebrity in a good cause. There is plenty of scope these days
for somebody with a high profile to do a great deal of good to raise awareness of many issues in the world
community.

I think there's a strong character there, and I hope she will not disappoint.

But I'm glad my children never wanted to attempt such a feat - I'd have been sick with worry all the way, and I
hope there won't be too many trying to attempt it. Disaster is always just a moment away at sea.

[demoleft]

60. wonderful, jessica. the end of a great adventure. thanx for posting this.

the back cover page of my journal here. fantastic.
ciao.