Jessica Watson.

[_Ray A]

Jess' driving lessons:

Driving



Jess named Queennsland’s Young Australian of the year: Queensland’s Young Australian of the Year 2011 is 17 year old sailor Jessica Watson of Buderim, who completed a solo circumnavigation of the globe this year.

QLD Australian of the Year (pdf)

Sunset on Ella’s Pink Lady. A reminder:

Sunset and Parker on Ella's Pink Lady.

Another reminder from Jess' blog:

"That much wind means some very big and nasty waves. To give you an idea of the conditions, they were similar to and possibly worse than those of the terrible 1998 Sydney to Hobart Race. We experienced a total of 4 knockdowns, the second was the most severe with the mast being pushed 180 deg...rees in to the water. Actually pushed isn't the right word, it would be more accurate to say that Ella's Pink Lady was picked up, thrown down a wave, then forced under a mountain of breaking water and violently turned upside down."

What an amazing and inspiring young lady. Solo, non-stop, and unassisted around the world.

We grow great by dreams. All big men are dreamers. They see things in the soft haze of a spring day or in the red fire of a long winter's evening. Some of us let these great dreams die, but others nourish and protect them; nurse them through bad days till they bring them to the sunshine and light which comes always to those who sincerely hope that their dreams will come true.

- Woodrow Wilson

[_Malcolm]

Hi Ray,

This is a well deserved award.
It's good to know that Queensland has honoured this brave and admirable young woman. Youngsters need role models from within their peer group, and you could not have a better example than Jessica. I hope there is wind in her sails for years to come.

[_Ray A]

Hi Ray,

This is a well deserved award.
It's good to know that Queensland has honoured this brave and admirable young woman. Youngsters need role models from within their peer group, and you could not have a better example than Jessica. I hope there is wind in her sails for years to come.

May God bless you, Malcolm. :)

[_honorentheos]

Hi Folks,

I'm not posting on the main forums anymore, but thought some of you might be interested in following Jessica Watson's round the world journey in the attempt to become the youngest person to circumnavigate the globe single-handed, non-stop, and unassisted.

You can follow her blog here: Official Jessica Watson Blog.
...
I have been absolutely captivated by the determination and bravery of these two young women, or as some would say, "girls".

.
.
.

There was an interesting article about this sort of thing in either National Geographic Adventure or Outdoor magazine (i couldn't find it immediately). They were discussing how many extreme outdoor challenges are being tackled by younger and younger youth and what the impact was on the sports and sportspersons involved.

Thanks for the link to her blog!

[_Ray A]

There was an interesting article about this sort of thing in either National Geographic Adventure or Outdoor magazine (i couldn't find it immediately). They were discussing how many extreme outdoor challenges are being tackled by younger and younger youth and what the impact was on the sports and sportspersons involved.

That will always be a source of debate, honor, and it is possible in future there will be an age limit, policed by international law. For more insight into this, here's a link to a debate (in the US) between Dawn Riley (pro-Jessica) and Dan Doyle (contra-Jessica) before she left. Her accident, when she ran into 60,000 ton ship on a trial run, sparked huge debates on Australian talkback radio, and opposition to her journey was "overwhelming". There was even talk of government intervention to stop her. Dan Doyle said everyone he knew in Australia, who knew Jessica, said she was not ready for this, and she was on a "suicide mission"; not expected to come out of it alive. Jessica, her parents, and her crew thought otherwise, and said the planning was meticulous, even down to the choice of yacht, a Sparkman and Stephens 34, which had a reputation for toughness and successful round the world sailing. They believed that only a freak accident could end Jessica's journey. As they say, "the rest is now [sailing] history".

OTL Debate: Jessica Watson.

[_Ray A]

Jesse Martin – the forgotten hero.

Of all the youth circumnavigation attempts, only two have accomplished it solo, non-stop, and unassisted: Jesse Martin and Jessica Watson. Jesse Martin holds, and will forever hold, the record of youngest solo circumnavigator, officially recognised by the WRRSC, which no longer recognises oldest/youngest categories. Jesse spent 11 months at sea, and sailed 27,000 nautical miles, 4,000 miles more than Jessica. He recorded his adventure in a book titled Lionheart: A Journey of the Human Spirit, and this is the book, read to her by her mother as a child, that inspired Jessica to undertake her own solo round the world voyage. Jesse Martin is a true gentleman. Although Jessica Watson did not fully meet WRRSC standards (which would not have been recognised anyway), he never begrudged her the title of “youngest solo circumnavigator”. He even assisted in the final berthing of Ella’s Pink lady on May 15, 2010, and sat back and watched as Jessica received the same applaud and acclaim that he received 11 years earlier, but not to as much media attention. While it is true that Jessica was only 16 at the completion of her epic voyage, and Jesse was 18, the two cannot really be compared, and Jesse hasn’t sought to do this. In spite of comparisons by others, Jesse never uttered a word of criticism about Jessica’s unofficial record, which “eclipsed” his. He let Jessica bask in the glory without pointing out what lesser officious souls did, about times and distances.

Jesse Martin was and is a hero, a brave and courageous soul, on both land and sea. And what an inspiration these two young people should be for generations to come.

Fellow Aussie inspired Watson

Lionheart.

[_Ray A]

In somewhat of a surprise, I suppose, The Christian Science Monitor has named Jessica’s solo around the world sail as Number One in the Top 6 most triumphant stories of 2010. The surprise is that it was even rated ahead of the long awaited release of Burmese political prisoner Aung San Suu Kyi and survival stories from the Haiti earthquake. (The next possible milestone is the naming of Young Australian of the Year in a few weeks’ time.)

In other news blogger Jennifer Deaves at Good Gabble Book Reviews reviewed Jessica’s book True Spirit (excerpts):

True Spirit is Jessica's story as told in her blogs, with added notes and information, expanding her thoughts, feelings and attitudes towards what was happening. It also allows for behind the scene's insight into what was happening onshore that Jessica did not know of during her offshore travel……Jessica really is an amazing teenager. Her ability to stay positive during the whole event, from the organisation, to the trip and media attention, is one of courage, strength and ability way beyond that of a 16 year old. This trip was Jessica's dream and, with the support of her parents, Jessica was going to make it happen, and that she did

For Jessica it was hands on all the way. When a boat was donated Jessica was there, from the stripping down to the rebuild, there was nothing this young girl would not have a go at. She involved herself in the planning of all equipment, food and the trip. Jessica's journey was more than that of sailing it was one of learning and finding one's owns strengths, weaknesses and true self…….Jessica showed courage, maturity and the patience of a saint. Not once did she ever loose sight of her goal. Her passion for sailing, respect of the ocean and love of life shone through in every page of this book.

Some chose to doubt and make their message heard but Jessica did not allow the negativity of others get in the way of her dreams. When her first attempt failed, as she collided with a 63,000-tonne bulk carrier,, Jessica took it in her stride, learning from the experience and ignoring the negativity broadcast throughout the media. Should she have listened, allowed her dream to be squashed and canceled her plans she would not have achieved, grown and become the person she is today. There is a message within True Spirit that should be heard by all.

Being one who knows nothing of sailing or nautical terms I found this book easy to follow with clear explanation. I soon found myself engrossed in a new world of sails and the sea, wondering if I to could handle what Jessica did. If anything, True Spirit, left me with a respect for those who sail and for our vast ocean. I now dream that one day, at the end of my land travels, I too may jump on a boat, of the holiday variety not the yacht variety, and visit those exotic islands of far away.

I highly recommend Jessica Watson's True Spirit. This is one of the best reads I have had in a long time. A feel good book of inspiration, love, hopes and dreams. I found myself smiling throughout my journey and was left floating on cloud nine each time I put it down.

On a personal note I echo Deaves’ feeling – I’ve previously never considered the annual Sydney-Hobart Boxing Day yacht race as nothing but a bore. This year I had my eyes peeled for any Internet reports on the race, and was even disappointed at the lack of them! How one person can change your attitude. Jess is not even old enough to compete in the race, as an age 18 limit was introduced after the disastrous 1998 race in which six sailors lost their lives in atrocious weather. I understand she may be competing next year. It just goes to show that there is something to the saying:

One person can make a difference – YOU!

Brett Costello’s now Walkley Award winning photograph of Ella’s Pink Lady battling heavy seas 60 nautical miles off Sydney:



And one for the tongue-waggers:

THEY are two of the most successful and high-profile young people on the Sunshine Coast, so it is any wonder Longman MP Wyatt Roy and sailing sensation Jessica Watson appear to have gravitated towards each other?
The pair set tongues wagging when they were spotted doing some Christmas shopping together at Sunshine Plaza last Wednesday night.
Witnesses said they were obviously enjoying each other’s company as they strolled through the shops, oblivious to the crowds snapping souvenir photos.
Their appearance together raised more than a few eyebrows and left many asking if the two are more than just friends?
A spokeswoman for Mr Roy was quick to debunk any rumours yesterday.
“As far as I know they’re just mates,” she said.

(For the untutored in Aussie lingo, “mates” means friends.)

At 20, Roy is Australia’s youngest ever elected Federal politician. (And my blog reader probably remembers my hope that Jess would eventually go into politics and attempt to straighten out some of the mess that it is.)

Source: Wyatt and Jess just mates.

[_Ray A]

I said earlier in this thread that, eventually, something may have to be done in regard to placing an official age limit on youth solo around the world sailing. I still believe that. The logic of the critics in this regard does make sense. Are we going to eventually see a 10 year old making an attempt? Jesse Martin was the last officially recognised youth solo sailor, at the age of 18. Jessica has stirred a lot of debate about this with her solo sail, and as they say, “the writing is on the wall”. If Laura Dekker has to be rescued, or worse, loses her life in her assisted-with-stops attempt, we’re never going to hear the end of the criticism, and maybe rightly so. Fortunately she’s taking her time and doing the solo sail with stops and getting any assistance if necessary. I would love to see her complete this successfully. When I see what many “kids” are up to these days, it’s virtually impossible for me not to admire these young adventurers, but realistically I think that there will eventually have to be an age limit. It is kind of sad that “regulation” may put a stop to real adventure, but as the following article points out:

Last year sailing officials announced they were not going to formally recognise any further "youngest ever" record attempts to sail around the world.
Hatfield backed that decision. But he warned it still wouldn't discourage parents from sending their kids to sea for potential monetary gain.
"It really is nothing more than a commercial venture," he said. "They are trying to break a record, trying to make a name for themselves, to get media attention and then get commercial benefits like books and videos. They are pre-selling book rights on these things."
America's Brad Van Liew – the front-runner in the solo round-the-world Velux 5 Oceans Race fleet in the leg from Cape Town to Wellington – echoed Hatfield's stance. He said he was a "big advocate for freedom" but was concerned that many of the teenaged hopefuls who planned to sail solo were being pushed by those keen to cash in on their efforts. However, he said Australian teen Jessica Watson, who has New Zealand grandparents and managed the achievement aged 16 years and 362 days, was doing it for the "right reasons".
"She pulled it off, that was fantastic, but still it sets a precedent which is not right. As much as I respect what she did – and she did it for the right reasons – it doesn't mean the next person is going to be there for the right reasons.

Sending kids to sail solo suicidal, say veterans.

And I too echo the belief that Jessica was doing it for the right reasons. The “side-effects” of Jessica’s success, however, and now national and international fame, could be a serious but possibly misguided allure for the naïvely ambitious who may think this is more about money and fame than a personal childhood dream. Jessica was also lucky to have just about everything fall into place at the right time, from Don McIntyre loaning her his S&S 34 named “Shanty”, to the amazing rebirth of “Shanty” to “Ellas Pink Lady”.

JESSICA WATSON - The Making of Pink Lady

The attention to detail, equipment and safety was not left to chance, but as Jesse Martin said, even the most equipped, professional and prepared sailor can come to grief, so there is still, preparedness aside, the possibility of disaster, as happened to Abby Sunderland.

Unfortunately, every “Golden Age” is eventually replaced with regulations and “bureaucracy”, and this is what potentially ambitious young adventurers will have to come to terms with. Remember too that Jess’ father said he’d never agree to her going before she was 16, and was “sitting on the fence” for a long time about her dream. The Watsons and their incredible and indefatigable team of expert backers and supporters pulled off something that may likely never be done again.

[_Ray A]

Jessica Watson named Young Australian of the Year.

My view.

[_Malcolm]

Hi Ray,
Glad to read and hear the news about Jessica. She truly deserves the accolade.
As for the "knockers", it is easy to sit at home and not even put a toe in the water.
For those who would say that others quietly go about their lives, doing great things
without any recognition, yes there are, lots of them in all nations. It is right and proper,
however, for a nation to recognise and acknowledge that one so young, can have a dream,
and then realise that dream. Australia is right to stand along side Jessica Watson and say
she is one of ours, and we are truly proud of her.

The world needs more people like Jessica, she is an inspiration.