Sun, 18 Oct 2009 5:23p.m.
Just after 9am this morning Jessica Watson boarded her pink lady Ella, and bade Australia farewell
By Amanda Gillies
Teenage adventurer Jessica Watson sailed out of Sydney harbour this morning, hoping to become the youngest person to sail around the world solo.
But Australia is divided – with critics saying the 16-year-old’s disastrous trial-run recently was proof she is too young and inexperienced.
Just after 9am this morning Watson boarded her pink lady Ella, and bade Australia farewell.
“This is what she has dreamed of,” says spokesman Andrew Fraser.
“This is what she has dreamed of since she was 11. Finally this day has come around.”
Watson plans to sail around the world solo. If she returns safely next June, she will make history.
“She is an inspiration to Australians, whatever way you look at it. We can’t change people’s opinions, we understand there is going to be the critics – but she is an inspiration,” says Mr Fraser.
Watson has had her fair share of critics – especially after he first trial run last month.
Just hours into it, her yacht collided with a 63,000 tonne cargo vessel and she was forced to return to base.
Experienced sailors, Government officials, even everyday Australians begged her to call off her record attempt, saying she was too young and too inexperienced.
The Short family knows all too well the danger Watson faces. This weekend they returned to sea to honour Andrew Short.
The experienced skipper, and crewmate Sally Gordon, drowned in a yachting accident near Sydney a week ago.
“I think what she is doing is extremely gutsy,” says Andrew’s brother Matt Short.
“I probably wouldn’t let my kids go there and do that sort of thing, but she seems well prepared.”
Nothing and no one has deterred this adventurous, baby faced teen. She says she knows what she is in for, and she is ready.
Last night she savoured some hot chips, this morning a long hot shower.
“She enjoyed that, came back and said, ‘that is the last one I will be having for about eight months’. She is really refreshed, good nights rest, and the weather has finally turned for her, so that’s great,” says Mr Fraser.
Watson is now on her way to New Zealand, then she will sail past Fiji, Samoa, South America and South Africa before the final leg of 4,000 nautical miles back to Australia.
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