She's getting closer.

I agree, she deserves a heroes welcome, and what ever dollars ect for her efforts re: Television / Magazines ect, might give other young people encouragement to try other things.

Baz
No I didn't say that at all, I copied that section of text from another website and forgot to change it to NEXT WEEK.....sorry mate , I also seen another site where where she will be directed well away from shipping lanes between Tassie and Sydney ,

Brisbanes Courier Mail has some good info too. HERE

.

Doug T
Apology accepted, not having met you but knowing you from this forum i guessed it was a typo, i just wanted to have a go.
Cheers
Baz

It's OK Baz.
Doug lives in the Teritory.
They are a bit behind.
It is still April up there.
Sorry Doug, I just couldn't help myself

Also have to say what an incredible strength of character that girl has for a 16 year old.

Don't yu just love this site, i thought it was us that were behind the eight ball, now you guys are pointing the finger elsewhere, love it.

hi
just reading the lastest on www.jessicawatson.com.au

site says she is expected to cross the finish line at 11.30am on the sat 16 /may /10 and disembark at the opera house at 12.30pn
that's if
if the maruading crowds and floatilla of boats let her through
imho opinion if she finishes this
she should be an instant nominee in

the:young australian achiever awards:
and also
:australian of the year:
no questions asked

this which she is about to achieve
is an incredible journey and experience for not only a young woman but also she has shown that what a lot of her critics claimed was impossible for someone her age to accomplish and also they claimed she was too inexperienced has become reality through her determined and guttsy effort

she is and should be an inspiration to all young and old not only in australia but the world as a whole
i have followed her journey from start to date and have been totally inspired by her she has faced and beaten some of natures strongest ocean forces and been knocked down on numerous occasions and did'nt throw in the towel in the fear of the moment
bring it home safely jessica
cheers

And some will undoubtbly say that she did not really sail around the world ,, record or not it is an amazing achievement by one so young,,

I guess some forums will say anything to get some publicity.

The tall poppy syndrome is alive and well.

This Rob Kothe from Sailing World.com is a bit of a jurk, as John said tall poppy syndrome

Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought there was no intentions of breaking records, the whole idea was to be the youngest to sail around world, and that she has nearly done,

.

Hi Doug..

Youngest to sail around the world is the record to beat, currently held by Jessie Martin.. ('lionheart")

They are saying that technically her track around does not qualify, according to the RULES of sailing, and therefore no record set. She may as well have stayed inside the heads for 6 months.

Still an amazing achievement.

Steve

She left Australia, sailed east, crossed every line of longitude, came back from the west.

Sounds like sailing around the world to me.

Have any of her support crew commented on this latest hiccup regarding the record, did they know the situation or did someone make a boo boo.
It will make good tv that's for sure.

Jessica's world attempt explained, this gets technical

There is to be no record set anyhow, shes too young ,

Er. Is this an innocent double up or are trying to be me?

CliveG.

Can someone explain to me how you can be too young to set a "record" for being the youngest to do anything. Sounds like a contradiction in terms.
What a gutsy effort regardless of how many kilometers she covered, well done young lady.I'm glad she made it so far safely and wish her a safe voyage for the rest.

Cheers
Pop

Having done a little bit of 'off-shore' sailing- I do respect and admire this grand acheivemnet done by anybody- especially be such a young lady like Jess.
I do, however, contest the claim of these recent circumnavigation sailors as being 'unassisted'.
They have a team of weather monitors and advisors around the world, advising them as to where and when to go. Also, with the availability now of external navigation aids such as GPS, and the electronic GPS controlled helming self-steer equipment.

The only true solo, unassisted circumnavigation was by Francis Chichester in the mid 60s in Gypsy Moth 4. Even though he did have to call in to Sydney for a couple of days for repairs- which he stipulated he performed himself !!

Signman, You can't help technology and unassisted means physically so I think your comments don't really apply, I understand what you are saying and agree that she has been assisted immensly by technology but not physically. Nowadays in many sailing record attempts there are various categories such as power assisted or non-power assisted, hydraulic winches are one example of power assisted. Franics would have sailed with some form of charting and compass in his day nowadays we have better technology but the feat of sailing the globe physically and safely is still the same challenge, albeit boats are also getting better etc etc.

Forget all about Francis Chichester, think more about Captain Cook and the 17th century Dutch sailor and explorer Dirk Hartog ,

.

hi guys
the critics that are disclaiming her record as not being official
imho
are the ones that initially missed being on the endorement list for any bonuses or commisions and didnt get there fingers in the money publicity pie that will grow after the event and achievement by jessica,
that would have come there way
and is just typical of the sour grape syndrome
cheers

Oi Oi Oi
Hate to spoil your party,.
Jessica Watson may have been born in Oz but her parents are from N.Z.
We have a granddaughter that was born in Canberra to so don't say I am biased.
I do know Phar Lap was bred and born in N.Z. as was that dessert thing.Pavlova, is it?
Just slinging a bit of it here.
Her Grandparents live in Cromwell just up the track a bit.

Russnic, I just love that reply. In the true Anzac tradition mate.
She got "knocked down" five or six times, from both sides. This young lady of immense courage and personal fortitude has done a marvellous thing, as have other people before her, beyond the wildest imagination of anyone who hasn't been in water deeper than their bath tub.
I spent many a month in the "Grey Funnel Line" nursemaiding boffins from various Aus. uni's in the southern ocean in the 60's doing various forms of research in the ocean depths, and when you're down there, you begin to appreciate what mother nature is all about, and you tend to keep in touch with the "Big Bloke" upstairs in regards to your safety and sanity.
Russ you let them Grandparents know I think she is something really special.

Can anybody who has responded to this post, begin to imagine any 16 year old girl they know, doing and achieving this? She is a special young lady, and has achieved this in her own right, and none of it detracts from those who have done it before her. They are all a unique personality.

Fred