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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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Aussie Sailor, 16, Starts World Trip

Girl leaves on 8-month trip as Aussies debate safety

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(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.

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.
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.
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.
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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
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22 comments
VIEWING:
 
riffran
Oct 18, 09 6:47 AM CDT
I hope she has a safe trip...no pirates, no bad storms...good luck Reply
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+10
IN RESPONSE:
prowlerzee
Oct 18, 09 9:09 PM CDT
A modern-day Amelia in a bright pink ship!!! Fair winds, Jessica!!!
Vote up! Vote down!
+1
George_Taylor
Oct 18, 09 6:53 AM CDT
Sounds better than backpacking across Europe. Reply
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+3
DarkFrancis
Oct 18, 09 7:10 AM CDT
Wet sails, Jess...get home safely. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+1
MarkMcJackoff
Oct 18, 09 8:00 AM CDT
Totally irresponsible parents to allow their 16 year old daughter to undertake such an endeavour. She may be a great sailor but she is just too young to be let alone for 8months or so on the high seas. Despite all the safety nets, comms;satnav etc things can and do go wrong. Big oceans have a habit of springing very nasty surprises - I hope there are none in store for her. God speed. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
-3

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Jessica Watson's website
www.jessicawatson.com.au/


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