Jessica Watson

[IFocus]

I like most my age had some reservations about how well Jessica had been prepared for an around the world sailing attempt at the tender age of 16 years old the same age as my own daughter.

Always great to be proved wrong by the younger generation and Jessica has certainly done that.

Currently Jessica is sitting in 10 meter breaking swells with strong winds waiting for a break in the cold fronts marching through the Souther Ocean so she can get around the bottom of Tasmania and head home up the eastern sea board.

The current conditions would test most never mind a 16 year old alone in the souther ocean, here is hoping her Sparkman and Stephens 34 holds together with out damage and she gets the break in weather for a safe trip home so we can celebrate a remarkable young lady's achievement.

http://www.jessicawatson.com.au

[Whiskers]

I also had some reservations about the wisdom of such a venture, but it seems she had the grit and determination and her parents and supporters who knew her better than all of us, had her measure and their good judgement has paid dividends (so far).

[Wysiwyg]

I also had some reservations about the wisdom of such a venture, but it seems she had the grit and determination and her parents and supporters who knew her better than all of us, had her measure and their good judgement has paid dividends (so far).

Certainly not wise but a good example of human endurance though. These adventures hailed "achievements" when the individual survives. Alternatively, they die doing what they loved.

[Happy]

I also had some reservations about the wisdom of such a venture, ...

I still have, this was record breaking event by age, so the next kid to break the record will have to be 14 maybe 15 after, that 13 maybe 12 later?

How low can they go?

[CanOz]

Been watching most of her journey with keen interest.

Good luck Jessica, you're almost home.

CanOz

[IFocus]

Been watching most of her journey with keen interest.

Good luck Jessica, you're almost home.

CanOz

Jessica has rounded the bottom of Tasmania now for the hardest part of the trip to avoid being run over by shipping as she sails up the east coast, no sleep for much of the final leg.

[kennas]

I'd have to rate this as one of the gutsiest things I've ever seen. 16 and her boat has been knocked over how many times? Incredible courage.

I was talking to someone last week regarding her 'solo' voyage, and they said that her dad was trailing her in another boat. Can this be true?

[IFocus]

I was talking to someone last week regarding her 'solo' voyage, and they said that her dad was trailing her in another boat. Can this be true?

Jessica's mother and father did a fly over at two of the three capes (Cape Horn / Cape Leeuwin) so he wasn't around then also given the weather and seas in the southern ocean it would be quite hard to stay close unless you in something quite large.

Still as a parent I am sure the idea got floated.

[IFocus]

Jessica sailed through Sydney heads today for a fine Sydney Harbour welcome.

What a girl took it all in her stride including correcting Prime Ministers and holding her composure like a pro clearly very much her own person.

Fantastic role model for girls her age and younger. Not a bad summery here of her message

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news...-1225867150392

[zzaaxxss3401]

I'm so glad my expectations were shattered today. I thought she would last about 1 month before calling the army for a search and rescue.

Well put IFocus, definitely a fantastic role model for anyone really. If we all had even a fraction of the determination and vision that Jessica has, anything is possible.

Congratulations Jessica!

[gooner]

I still have, this was record breaking event by age, so the next kid to break the record will have to be 14 maybe 15 after, that 13 maybe 12 later?

How low can they go?

Looks like a lot of cash in it.

My eldest is 5 years old. If I start sailing lessons this year, I reckon she will be ready by the time she is 10, 11 tops.

Do other ASF's think this is a bit young. Should I wait until she is 12?

[Tink]

Well good on her. Congratulations

I dont think I would be that keen as a parent to send my kid on a solo voyage at that age, record breaking or not.

[sam76]

our 'newest Australian Hero'

* said as jamming finger down throat. Not politicising it but sheesh Rudd couldn't you come up with something less cliche?

[UBIQUITOUS]

our 'newest Australian Hero'

* said as jamming finger down throat. Not politicising it but sheesh Rudd couldn't you come up with something less cliche?

All achieved under a Labor government. Another achievement for Kev

[Julia]

All achieved under a Labor government. Another achievement for Kev

Yep. Without Kev, Jessica couldn't possibly have done it.

Seriously, that's a magnificent effort. I was amongst those who thought her parents were nuts to allow her to go, but she has proved herself well and truly.

[So_Cynical]

Anyone can take a well equipped, suitable yacht around the world with a minimum of talent and training...the big achievement is overcoming the fear and the overwhelming sense of almost helplessness against the southern ocean and the elements.

Alone in the middle of the night...wind howling, swells crashing and your world lurching and moving around beneath you, there's a dozen things than can break at any moment and put your life in imminent danger..a major hull/skin fitting failure could sink the boat in less than a few minutes as could a collision of any kind.

And while all this is constantly in the back of your mind you have to relax and get some sleep and just trust the self steering, sat-nav and all the other gear is doing its job....i wonder just how many single handed, non stop, great capes circumnavigations there have been? anyone know?

[IFocus]

.i wonder just how many single handed, non stop, great capes circumnavigations there have been? anyone know?

Heaps, though I had read about most but...... not even close

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single-handed_sailing

Better link here http://www.solocircumnavigation.com/...navigators.htm

Veritable highway out there

[IFocus]

Yep. Without Kev, Jessica couldn't possibly have done it.

Seriously, that's a magnificent effort. I was amongst those who thought her parents were nuts to allow her to go, but she has proved herself well and truly.

Seems the planning / preparation was good plus 10,000 miles sailing before hand

Funny how she cannot enter the Sydney / Hobart because to young

[So_Cynical]

Heaps, though I had read about most but...... not even close

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single-handed_sailing

Better link here http://www.solocircumnavigation.com/...navigators.htm

Veritable highway out there

The SinglehandedCircumnavigators list has many Circum-navigators using the Panama Canal so that don't qualify as non stop and via the great capes...so i think its safe to assume that perhaps less than 100 people have done true single handed, non stop/unassisted circumnavigations via most of the great capes.

[IFocus]

The SinglehandedCircumnavigators list has many Circum-navigators using the Panama Canal so that don't qualify as non stop and via the great capes...so i think its safe to assume that perhaps less than 100 people have done true single handed, non stop/unassisted circumnavigations via most of the great capes.

Good point SC small club in those terms