Girl (16) Aims to be Youngest to Sail Solo 'Round-the-World

[Wayward Wind]

Sorry guys, but it seems Australia is about to lose its macho image.

Jessica Watson - Youngest Around the World Sailing Attempt

[BlueWaterSail]

This has nothing to do with "image".

A courageous young woman is preparing to do what few have done at her age.

That's macho in my book.

Best wishes for a safe passage and fair winds.

BWS

[Sandero]

I think it is amazing that someone so young will attempt such a challenge. Good for Jessica, I hope she does well.

[SabreKai]

Gutsy young lady, bully for her.

May the gods smile on her and grant her smooth sailing.


Sabre

[imagine2frolic]

That's a lot of pink! You have to love the girl's courage. I hope she, and the boat are up to it......BEST WISHES to her.....i2f

[Tellie]

I'm not saying 16 is too young and good luck to her. Personally these things strike me more as stunts backed by adults whose motives I'd be more interested to know about. Solo crossings are not new, that barrier has been reached long ago by many people. But I'm curious as to know. Where is the age limit when people start to say enough?

[Arch Stanton]

Reminds me of Samantha Davies and her boat Roxy from the most recent Vendee Globe. Nothing but pink!

Good luck to her.

[Randy]

Yeah ,best wishes to her. I hope she's up to it. That pink would blind me after 15 min. It's just hard on the eyes.

[babykinz]

Originally Posted by Tellie

I'm not saying 16 is too young and good luck to her. Personally these things strike me more as stunts backed by adults whose motives I'd be more interested to know about. Solo crossings are not new, that barrier has been reached long ago by many people. But I'm curious as to know. Where is the age limit when people start to say enough?

As excited I am for her, I have to agree with this.

[twowheel]

Age is just a mental thing. Who says 16 is too young?

One things for sure, she's got more macho for going for this than I had at 16.

A solo cn at any age is a challenge, no matter what.

[JiffyLube]

I wish her luck too, and I'll most likely follow her quest like I did Zac's. In hindsight I wish I had done something like that when I was much younger, but I didn't and got to deep into the work mode...so I live vicariously through these young people.

[ViribusUnitis]

I do wish they would stop this "youngest" BS.

16 may be plenty old enough, and she may be fine.

But after she does it (assuming she does), someone 14 will try it. And then 13 and on down.

Eventualy it will find an age group where humans are not able to do it, but the only way to prove it will be by the death of several people. (like the 9 year old trying be the youngest to fly accross the US.)

[night0wl]

6 billion people on this planet...I guess everyone's gotta do something to ensure they get their 15 minutes. Good for her...Zack who?

[JiffyLube]

Originally Posted by night0wl

6 billion people on this planet...I guess everyone's gotta do something to ensure they get their 15 minutes. Good for her...Zack who?

Zac Sunderland Zac Sunderland

[Wayward Wind]

I attended her talk on stage at the Sydney International Boat Show, where her boat was displayed. I saw her boat first, so was not sure what to expect. I came away very impressed and full of admiration of her. Like many others who were there, we wish her every success in her quest.

She said she had dreamt of sailing solo since the age of 11. It wasn't until this Queenslander turned 16 in May that she was allowed to skipper her own boat. I believe she had done her Ocean Yachtmaster course (includes celestial navigation), so hats off to her.