Two hundred and ten days ago a young girl from Australia set off on a voyage in a 30 foot, lolly-pink yacht named, Ella's Pink Lady. She was following her dreams and wanted to be the youngest person to sail solo, non-stop and unassisted around the world. She also wanted to be a role model and show that young people can do great things ... that they shouldn't be judged by their age, gender or appearance.
Jessica Watson, a slight-statured 16 year old from the Sunshine Coast of Queensland, Australia, sailed out through the heads of Sydney Harbour on 18th October 2009 amidst much debate. It seemed everyone in Australia had an opinion on Jessica's capabilities and the possibility of a good outcome to the voyage. Many were fiercely critical of her parents for allowing her to attempt such a feat.
Jessica sailed north-east through the South Pacific and in November 2009 crossed the Equator twice before passing Cape Horn at the tip of South America in January 2010.
About a week later, she suffered four knockdowns (where the boat's mast hits the water) in a severe storm with 10 metre waves and 70 knot winds. In February she reached the southern-most point of Africa and crossed from the Atlantic Ocean into the Indian Ocean. From southern Africa, she sailed towards Western Australia - more than 5000 nautical miles away.
In April, Jessica was south of Australia when she moved into another severe storm and faced 12 metre swells. It was here that she suffered another three knockdowns, with the mast apparently going very deep into the sea on one of the knockdowns. In early May, Jessica rounded the south-east cape of Tasmania and was on the last leg of her journey back to Sydney.
Jessica arrived in Sydney Harbour yesterday, 15th May 2010. It was a perfect, sunny Sydney day and a flotilla of boats and thousands of well-wishers welcomed Jessica home. She had sailed nearly 23,000 nautical miles around the globe.
Unfortunately, Jessica's feat will not be considered an official world record because the "youngest" category has been discontinued by the World Speed Sailing Record Council.
On the steps of the Sydney Opera House, Jessica was formally welcomed home by the Prime Minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd. During his speech, the Prime Minister called Jessica a "hero". Jessica politely and tactfully begged to disagree. She said, "I am just an ordinary girl who had a dream."
What an inspirational young lady!
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Comments
Thanks for bringing her to our attention.
L.
dianaani: It's strange isn't it ... if it was an American we here in Australia would hear all about it too but when it's the other way 'round it seems you hardly hear anything of our important news. Oh well, I'm here to enlighten you!
mypsyche: Wonderful to hear someone there has seen something of it. It is indeed a huge feat ... we're all very proud of her.
Cathy: Yes, everyone breathed a sigh of relief here on Saturday too! There was so much cynicism before she left with the majority of people saying she was too young, or too inexperienced; or not strong enough because she was a young girl; not capable of undertaking major repairs on her boat when needed; blah blah blah. Her parents were widely condemned for letting her take it on but they never faltered in their support and in believing she was capable.
Mary Ann: Her humility struck left so many Australians gob-smacked on Saturday! She was called a hero so many times throughout the day however she very humbly but clearly pointed out that she did not consider herself a hero at all. An inspiration that she is ... many have been inspired and I am sure with time that inspiration will wane a little but there will be those who have definitely changed their thinking because she has shown what can be done when you set your mind to it and believe.
Poppi: You're right Poppi. Jessica said that she was most scared when she had to wait for something ... like the fierceness of Cape Horn or a severe storm warning. The waiting was what got to her but when she was in the midst of it she didn't have time to be scared ... she did what she had to do, kept going and was pleased when she had succeeded.
LL2: None of us could really imagine any 16 year old taking on such a feat let alone succeeding. She is a champion.
Thoth: Thanks Thoth. Australia is indeed very proud of her. She is a credit to her generation and to all of us.
scanner: Thank you scanner. I sure wish I could be that brave! I think I'll have to look at any hurdles that come my way in future in a completely different light.
mLee: Thank you my friend. Yes, there will be a documentary and a book to come from what I hear. She apparently took hundreds of hours of video and kept a blog all the while (which you can access via the link I provided at the bottom of the post).
Lezlie: I'm in your boat too!
Trilogy: My pleasure Trilogy. (BTW, I've got catch up on the last two instalments of your fiction posts. Will be there asap! Okay?)
Thanks, Little Kate, for this reminder.