Abigail Sunderland on Jessica Watston’s heels
Posted by JohnF | Posted in Abigail Sunderland, Jessica Watson | Posted on 25-01-2010
Tags: Abigail Sunderland
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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)