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Aussie Sailor, 16, Starts World Trip

Girl leaves on 8-month trip as Aussies debate safety

By the Associated Press

Posted Oct 18, 2009 6:45 AM CDT

(AP) – A 16-year-old Australian steered her bright pink yacht out of Sydney Harbor under gray skies and slightly choppy conditions today to start her bid to become the youngest person to sail solo and unassisted around the world. Jessica Watson's 23,600-mile journey through some of the world's most treacherous waters sparked debate about whether someone so young should be allowed to try such a dangerous feat.

Watson and her family insist she is an experienced sailor who will be in constant contact with her support team via radio, email, and a blog. Watson's first leg will take her past northern New Zealand, then Fiji and Samoa. In a trip expected to last about eight months, she plans to pass the southern tips of Africa and South America. Briton Mike Perham, 17, in August laid claim to being the youngest solo round-the-world sailor after completing a 28,000-mile trip in nine months, though he stopped for repairs, which counts as an "assisted" trip.

[Images (10)]

[Quotes (2)]

Sixteen-year old sailor Jessica Watson sets sail on her yacht Ella's Pink Lady in Sydney Harbour on October 18, 2009 in Sydney, Australia. (Getty Images)

Sixteen-year old solo sailor Jessica Watson poses during the official launch of her Solo round the world voyage on October 7, 2009 in Sydney, Australia. (Getty Images)

Sixteen-year old teen solo sailor Jessica Watson sets sail on her yacht Ella's Pink Lady in Sydney Harbour on October 18, 2009 in Sydney, Australia. (Getty Images)

Jessica Watson walks to her boat after her final shower on land as she prepares to depart Sydney, Australia, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

Tearful teenage sailor Jessica Watson, right, hugs her mother Julie as her father, Roger looks on as Jessica prepares to depart Sydney, Australia, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

Tearful teenage sailor Jessica Watson, right, hugs her father, Roger, as her mother Julie looks on as Jessica prepares to depart Sydney, Australia, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

Teenage sailor Jessica Watson, in her sailboat Ella's Pink Lady at center, departs Sydney, Australia, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

Teenage sailor Jessica Watson, in her small sailboat Ella's Pink Lady with a pink hull at bottom center, departs Sydney, Australia, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

Teenage sailor Jessica Watson, in boat at right, departs Sydney, Australia, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009, in Ella's Pink Lady in her bid to become the youngest person to sail nonstop around the world. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

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I know you are all anxious to hear from Jess, but she's a little preoccupied on her first day, so she asked me to post a quick note to let everyone know that the departure went well this morning. - Mom Julie Watson in Jessica's first blog

I think a lot of Australians
are nervous for Jessica. I'm nervous for her. But my words at this stage, given that she's determined to go, would be to wish her the best of luck and to urge her to keep safe. - Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard

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Aussie Sailor, 16, Starts World Trip