16 year old Jessica Watson's solo sail around the world

[MonkeyJuice 3]

Anybody following 16 year old Jessica Watson's record solo trip around the world? I've been tracking her on her website ever since I heard her story on the news. The story has been getting tons off attention in the Australian press & some are accusing her parents of being irresponsible for allowing her to go through with it.

She seems to be doing well so far but I can't help but think about how she's going to cope with the seas when she reaches the Cape in South Africa or if she encounters pirates somewhere in the Pacific. What if a sail tears in a storm, would she have the strength to climb the mast & fix it? scary stuff.

http://www.jessicawatson.com.au/the-latest-news

[Peikko 1,575]

It's a bit of both. If she doesn't get hurt or killed during this attempt, her parents will not get vilified, if she does, they will.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I hadn't heard of it, but good for her. It is no more irresponsible than any other individual sailing solo around the world. She seems well equipped and knowledgeable. Olympic sailors have been in their teens when competing as well as older so her age shouldn't be the critical factor. I crewed on a racing sailboat for much of my teen years and early 20s and my Dad often competed in solo long distance races on Lake Ontario (around the islands, etc.). It isn't an easy task she has set herself and she may not succeed - hopefully she won't lose her life in the process but that too is a possible risk. I wish her every success.

Edited October 25, 2009 by Kathryn41