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.
Read more…Jessica Watsons voyage remarkable says Kevin Rudd | The Courier-Mail
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.
Read more…Rival threatens Jessica Watson’s solo bid – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
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.
Read more…Jessica Watson passes halfway mark
