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Abby Sunderland – I am not your ordinary teen

JohnF — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 23:29:10 +0000

16-YEAR-OLD teen sailor Abby Sunderland says she’s being judged by ordinary teen standards, and if people knew her they wouldn’t be criticising her.

The California girl’s dream of sailing solo around the world was dashed by a massive wave that snapped her mast.

Sunderland acknowledged that her adventure “can look pretty crazy. But the thing is, those people don’t know me. And if they did, they wouldn’t be criticising my age”.

She spoke by phone from the remote Kerguelen Islands, near Antarctica, where her rescue boat stopped briefly en route to Reunion Island and a true reunion with her family.

“I think that a lot of people are judging me by the standards they have for their teens and other teens that they know … and thinking ’she’s exactly like them’,” Sunderland said.

“They don’t understand that I’ve sailed my whole life and I do know what I’m doing out there.”

TV deal after wave of public disapproval

JohnF — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 02:01:42 +0000

THE family of luckless adventurer Abby Sunderland has dumped plans for a reality TV show after being swamped with a wave of public disapproval.

The reality show about the family’s daredevil kids was set to be called Adventures in Sunderland.

But it has been dumped after a stinging public backlash against the expensive mission – paid for by Australia – to save the 16-year-old from the Indian Ocean after her yacht’s mast broke in rough weather.

Australian rescue authorities reportedly spent up to $300,000 in their effort to save Abby from her stricken vessel 3700km off the WA coast.

Abby’s father Laurence Sunderland confirmed the family had spoken to Magnetic Entertainment in California about a series, inviting a camera crew to his home last year, but said he disagreed about the direction the producers were taking.

Kevin Rudd wishes Jessica Watson Happy Australia Day

JohnF — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 01:01:25 +0000

JESSICA Watson’s epic voyage around the world and bravery has been singled out by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in Canberra today.

Delivering his Australia Day speech, Mr Rudd said he would highlight the stories of three young inspirational Australians because they were displaying the great spirit of the nation.

He said last night he spoke to Sunshine Coast teenager, Jessica Watson, while she was somewhere in the South Atlantic.

“From 5000 nautical miles west of Cape Town, she wanted me to today wish you all a very happy Australia Day,” Mr Rudd said.

Trapper John star Pernell Roberts dead at 81

JohnF — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 23:56:33 +0000

PERNELL Roberts, an original cast member of the classic television western series Bonanza, died at his Malibu home, aged 81.

The Los Angeles Times reported that his death from cancer was confirmed by his wife, Eleanor Criswell.

Roberts played Adam, the handsome, deep-voiced eldest son of the Cartwright clan, from 1959 until the end of the ‘64-65 season.

He then went on to act in films and resume a stage career.

In 1979 he returned to television in Trapper John M.D., playing the title character for seven seasons.

He retired in the late 1990s.

Abigail Sunderland on Jessica Watston’s heels

JohnF — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 14:05:36 +0000

Sunshine Coast sailor Jessica Watson has passed the half-way mark of her voyage around the world. She is battling violent storms and 10-metre swells in the southern Atlantic Ocean. But now she faces a new challenge.

A rival sailor is hot on the heels of her bid to be the youngest person to sail solo around the world non-stop and unassisted.

American teenager Abigail Sunderland set out in her boat Wild Eyes from Marina Del Rey, California, on Saturday to attempt the same feat.

Ms Sunderland turned 16 in October last year, making her around four months younger than Ms Watson.

If both are successful, Ms Sunderland will snatch the record from Ms Watson around June. Ms Watson would hold the record for just one month.

But Ms Watson’s mother Julie says the attempt is worth far more than the record for her daughter.

Jessica Watson has reached her overway mark

JohnF — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 14:02:59 +0000

Jessica Watson might have another 21,298km to go but her mum says it’s a great comfort to know she’s officially homeward bound.

The 16-year-old passed the halfway mark overnight on her 42,596km quest to become the youngest person to sail solo around the world, non-stop and unassisted.

But the teenager, who hails from Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, has had a rough few days after being hit by a raging storm on Friday in the southern Atlantic that damaged some of her equipment and left her bruised.

And another low pressure system could send more wild weather her way in the next 24 hours.

Jessica’s experiences will be watched closely by American Abigail Sunderland, who is four months younger than Jessica and who set off on the weekend from California to attempt the same journey.

If the American is successful, any record Jessica might set will be short-lived.