Janet CollinsJessica Watson Almost Half Way Home
January 24th 2010 10:59
Sixteen year old adventurer, Jessica Watson, is nearly half way home. Aboard Ella's Pink Lady, Watson has covered 11,000 nautical miles of the 23,000 nautical miles that will compete her solo circumnavigation.
Watson has climbed a few sailing “mountains” so far including sailing around the notorious Cape Horn and on Friday, had her first knock-down when she sailed into 70 knot gale force winds.
I have to congratulate her, even though I was not entirely in support of her venture. In October I wrote a post as she embarked on her circumnavigation in what had been controversial circumstances. The responses were varied. Some hailed her courage. Others condemned her parents for letting her go.
My reluctance to support the venture was fuelled not by her courageous attempt to take to the seas alone but more because of her age and the responsibility, not only her parents, but all of us would shoulder should she meet with fate.
Solo sailing is a sport that is often clouded in controversy. For some, it goes against the very notion of safety and responsibility and anyone attempting to tackle the world’s oceans unassisted is bound to come under a lot of criticism. Jessica's age posed an even greater problem.
There are many far older than Watson who have attempted the same and not lived to tell the story. There are others who have made it and become heroes. That is not to say that age is any guarantee of survival, it is just that many younger people (and we have all been there) often fail to appreciate or even comprehend the real risks they are taking.
When Jessica Watson makes it back to our shores, she will not only be a hero but the youngest person to have circumnavigated the globe to date. There is already another teen, even younger than Watson, fighting authorities for permission to claim the title. How young will the next one be?
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Comment by Jason King
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Yay her!!
Comment by Janet Collins
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Thanks for dropping in.
Janet
Comment by Whitney
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I think part of it is parents pushing children to be the best and better than the last.
There needs to be limits and laws.
Comment by Janet Collins
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It does get a bit like that and people really have to be old enough to fully understand the dangers that go along with what challenges they choose. Media and family play a big part in it too.
I think Jessica has done a very brave and adventurous thing. That doesn't mean that I actually condone every young person tryin to be the world's best and youngest. It then just becomes irresponsible.
Thanks for dropping in.