Jessica Watson's Round-the-World Voyage

[Ocean Girl]

I am amazed by her. I think of her often and have to shake my head and say.. amazing! I tell my friends about her and we shake our heads and say.. amazing. Few people can render me speechless but she does and all I can do is shake my head in amazement. Most of you know I was a "nay sayer" and it is a true honor to eat my words. There is still a rough road ahead but I have no doubt that if anyone can make it she can.
Godspeed Jessica, and Pink lady...take good care of your captain
Cheers,
Erika


This poem reminds me of her journey -

Desire, ask, believe, receive.
Stella Terrill Mann

[speakeasy]

I am reminded of the 3 Aussie young women I met staying up a canyon in So. Ecuador. One was an excellent sketch artist who grew up on a vast sheep ranch, one was model beautiful and carried a pair of high heels in her pack that was a running joke among them (when could they ever be used). They bathed in an ice cold stream coming off the Andes and could make a great party among the expat youngsters with a fire and stuffed beer sweet pastries over a wood fire. I was charmed and had an admiration for them. I might have lusted a little bit when they flirted, but I was much too old for them.

Australia produces amazingly adventurous young women. Good on 'em. Good luck Jessica. Who can know what this will mean to you after you finish. But it will be somethin' else!

Looks like she's a real sailor.

[sec906]

From her blog, here's a link to a newspaper article and video of her parents fly-over near Cape Horn:

Visit just flies by in a wave of emotions for Jessica Watson | The Daily Telegraph

Amazing adventure!

-SEC

[mt gay rum]

Wow another major point crossed off her check list... Congradulations and well deserved... Next point S.Africa...

To Jessica and her Team keep up the awesome work you all have done.

If i was ella this would be all over my ads!!!!!!

[paradix]

Jessica has had her first big storm to contend with and a few knockdowns, but it sounds like boat and skipper handled it well.

Jessica Rides Out Perfect Storm and Knockdowns

[surfingminniwinni]

Truly inspiring stuff from a 16 year old.

[Skwhirl]

Originally Posted by surfingminniwinni

Truly inspiring stuff from a 16 year old.

Inspiring indeed. I can remember when I was 16 growing up in San Diego one of my favorite things to to was enjoy the rare storm we would get from time to time. If there was a good one blowing thru and you needed to find me it was pretty easy because I would be in one of three places. N. mission/ Pacific Beach (same stretch of beach) La Jolla Beach, either one of these it was me and my Boogie board enjoying the ride, or Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery which is on top of Point Loma where from one side you can see S.D. harbour and the other you see nothing but open ocean. I also always remembered to take a moment just stare out at the deep blackness and pounding surf to appreciate its true power and remind myself to never take it for granite and even though I loved looking at it i can remember thinking, "God she beautiful but I'm so glad I'm not out there."

Godspeed Jessica, be safe^^

[Jim D]

Everything about this journey is fascinating, amazing, awe inspiring.
She IS doing it, and "they" LET her do it. Wow.
Great boldness from all quarters.

I eagerly check the net often to grab the latest tidbit of news.

[paradix]

Here it is in Jessica's words:

Jessicawatson.com.au: Wind, Waves, Action and Drama!

Experienced heavy weather sailors out there, any thoughts on how she might have prevented so many knockdowns? Would trailing a drogue have helped (assuming she could have safely got one out there, of course)? How is Abby Sunderland's Open 40 likely to behave if she meets a similar storm?

[SvenG]

She is certainly proving herself quite a capable, hardy and resilient Captain.



-Sven

[SvenG]

Originally Posted by paradix

How is Abby Sunderland's Open 40 likely to behave if she meets a similar storm?

Judging by Mike's 28 kt run before the storm in similar circumstances Abby could waterski behind her 40 if she could see where she was going.



-Sve

[paradix]

Originally Posted by SvenG

Judging by Mike's 28 kt run before the storm in similar circumstances Abby could waterski behind her 40 if she could see where she was going.

Seriously though, I guess she would want to tow something behind (maybe not herself on a waterski though!) to steady things and give the autopilot a fair chance at keeping course? Or is it better just to put the (metaphorical) foot down and get out of there as fast as possible?

[John A]

Originally Posted by paradix

Experienced heavy weather sailors out there, any thoughts on how she might have prevented so many knockdowns? Would trailing a drogue have helped (assuming she could have safely got one out there, of course)? How is Abby Sunderland's Open 40 likely to behave if she meets a similar storm?

In my experience with knockdowns, I doubt that trailing a drogue would have been of any help. The knockdowns appeared to be caused by a lateral gust of wind just as I topped a twenty foot swell.
Not being able to reduce any more sail area in the conditions I was in, I disengaged the autopilot and hand steered. When I felt a gust of wind on my cheek, I'd steer a little up into the wind to meet the gust as I came up over the wave and then ease off as I came down the otherside of the wave.
It was exhausting but survivable.

Leason learned: reef early and reef deep.

Others may have had different experiences

John

[jpemb7]

The boat will always outlast the crew. In the end it is about character. Resilience, perseverance and a little bit of luck. But in my experience you don't get the last without the first two.
Jessica has had all three.

[Stillraining]

They say everything happens for a reason...maybe nicking a freighter requiring a new mast and rigging was one of them....ya just never know...

And some scoffed at strapping in her stuffed animals..looks like they needed it....

Way to go Jess!..all our best to ya!