Jesse Watson

[Candyfloss]

Well, no one else is, so I'll stick my neck out and post a welcome home thread for the girl who has exceeded all expectations and almost completed her voyage around the world.

She is back in Australian waters, currently South & East of Cape Leeuwin. She's had a pretty torrid time of it, being knocked down twice in sudden thunderstorms, & shredding her mainsail, but she has a spare.

http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL458/12377907/23013101/385807358.jpg

Here's the best weather map I could find for the region. She is planning to sail South of Tasmania. Bass Strait is full of islands and shipping, so she is going to go round it. I reckon it will add the best part of a week to the trip, but it's always most dangerous close to land so good on her for playing it safe.

I'll keep you updated.

Scot, I love this new format. Easy to read & looks good.

[floatingkiwi]

Yes, after her tanker striking start she is aware of just how small the ocean can be when it comes to other vessels.
Good on her eh. Unfortunately there is another chick out there now who is set to take the title from Jesse after a short time of her saying she is the youngest female solo circumnavigating title holder.
This is if they both make it, which it looks like Jesse has.
Godspeed .

[Tumzara]

Yep> Bravo, very well done. I had my concerns at first but after the rope around rudder incident I thought she would do OK.
In that ocean though luck still plays a part no matter who you are so good to see her almost home.

[Ian McColgin]

Well done.

[TimH]

And then theres:



http://www.sailinganarchy.com/fringe/2010/jen5.jpg
Jenny Fitzgibbon easily gets honored as Sailor Chick of the Week today for her 2nd place finish on Tuesday in the ballsy Solo Trans Tasman Challenge (http://www.solo-tasman.co.nz/) from New Plymouth NZ to Mooloolaba, Australia. From SA'er "jonsailor" (the designer and builder of the Jenny's yacht 'Soothsayer'):
Jenny is really doing well, good looking to say the least, she's gone about her job without fuss or sponsorship, battling 48 knot winds the second day out and sailing through days of 30+ knots with no furlers or easy systems to help. She actually has a racing Tuff Luff, having to climb up on the foredeck to bend a smaller sail on and wrestle the bigger one below for every change, and it's not like she's bristling with muscle. Unlike little Jessica or Abby, she does her own mapping, weather, and repairs - truly unassisted. It's unkind to say that she has balls because she is such a fine lady, but boy - she must have them tucked away somewhere.
04/15/10

[Candyfloss]

Nice boat. Bad rum.

[Candyfloss]

Jesse's got pleasant sailing today, making six knots in the right direction.

[Phil Y]

onya jess

[Bill Lowe]

This young girl is a sailor.

[Thad]

I have really enjoyed Jessica Watson's blog entries. Great attitude and good sailing. Impressive. Cheers. Not the least difficult section still to go but she can do it!

[Candyfloss]

She'll have warm Northeasterly winds now. She's heading due South.

http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL458/12377907/23013101/385891168.jpg

[Candyfloss]

We had a bloke in Tauranga raced Auckland to Brisbane 3,4 times, in an Allan Wright Marauder, 26ft long. Fortunately he only stood about 5ft tall & built like a brick s..thouse, still, rather him than me.

[paladin]

What's wrong with the waters around Tasmania? I sailed through there twice after discovering friggin oil platforms all over the place and no lights at night...I went the long way around.

[Candyfloss]

Nothing wrong with the waters round Tasmania, Chuck, apart from the proximity of Antarctica. You can see in both the weather maps I've posted how close the isobars get further south.

Plenty wrong with Bass Straight tho. Islands, oil rigs, & I'll bet the ships don't stick to the shipping lanes there either:-

Australian Transport Minister Anthony Albanese has announced the Australian government will prosecute those responsible for stranding a freighter in the Great Barrier Reef marine park.
The Great Barrier Reef, the world largest reef system extends for more than 2,500 kilometres along Australia's east coast. The minister made his statements after flying over the area where the Chinese coal freighter Shen Neng 1 ran aground. The ship, which had taken an illegal shortcut through the marine park, leaked two tonnes of heavy fuel oil into the sea, threatening the Reef's delicate ecosystem. Minister Albanese said the government would also seek compensation for the costs of the clean-up operation.
In a separate incident, two Vietnamese and one South Koran have been charged with steering their ship through the Great Barrier Reef. Australian Federal Police searched the bulk carrier MV Mimosa and seized navigational equipment and charts after receiving a tip that the vessel had entered a restricted area. Bulk carriers regularly take short cuts through the Great Barrier Reef to save time and money.

[CapnJ2ds]

And of course she's of Kiwi descent!! :D

[TimH]

I wonder what she will do next

[Duncan Gibbs]

Have a long, hot bath! :D

[Robbie 2]

Well done and best wishes.......congrats.

[John B]

And of course she's of Kiwi descent!! :D


Just her Mother and Father Cap.:D


ahahahaha.

[Candyfloss]

You guys beat me to it! Well, my computer was down.

Quote NZ Herald.

They have claimed Phar Lap, Crowded House and pavlova as their own. But now New Zealand has a chance to claim Australia's next star.
Queenslander Jessica Watson, 16, is on track to become the youngest sailor to circumnavigate the globe solo next month.
When she sails into Sydney next month, her parents Roger and Julie - both originally from New Zealand - will be there to greet her. They will be joined by other Kiwi relatives, who are travelling over.
Jessica's grandfather, Gordon Chisholm, of Cromwell, Central Otago, says New Zealand can take plenty of pride in Jessica's Kiwi roots.
Asked if New Zealand could rightly lay claim to her, Mr Chisholm told the Herald: "Oh yeah. You bet".
Australian sailing legend John Bertrand told the Herald he understood there was a "little Kiwi blood" in Jessica's veins, but that would not matter when she was claimed by the Australians.
"The fact that she lives in Australia, it's going to a pretty tough slog for the Kiwis to get too much airspace, but I know - having good mates in New Zealand - they will put up a good claim for it."


We never get tired of this do we? It's all in good fun.

[Duncan Gibbs]

We all know that NZ is the 7th State... Or is that the 3rd territory? :p :D

[Candyfloss]

Maybe we should let the lady herself have the final word on that. Home is where the heart is.

Quote:-

I hear someone (Grandad Chisholm!) has been stirring things up on both sides of the Tasman over whether I'm a Kiwi or and Aussie. Apparently New Zealand's trying to claim me! I don't think that anything I say will make the slightest difference on this one, but I will say that I do have both Australian and New ealand passports. Australia's home to me (sorry Grandad!) but my trusty first mate is a stuffed Kiwi!


Jesse

[Candyfloss]

Bob McDavit (known by the ETNZ lads as Bob McLiftinggear), her weather guru, is concerned about upcoming weather.

http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL458/12377907/23013101/386046670.jpg

He must know something I don't. It looks pretty benign to me. Maybe there is a front in that cloud in the bottom lefthand corner. Anyone know where I can get better weather maps?

[Duncan Gibbs]

Unfortunately this one won't be static, but at least you needn't keep going to the Bureau of Meteorology site for an update!

http://www.bom.gov.au/fwo/IDY00050.png

40 knots to the SW.

[Thad]

She should be able to handle 40SW. The 25W should be good as she's got her sails stitched and waiting for wind. When she gets around Tasmania she will probably hope the high sitting off the East coast moves away. If I read this right.

[Larks]

Nice boat. Rad' Bum.

There you go mate, I fixed that for you.

As for Jesse? I have to say that I'm extremely pleased to be proven wrong, having been one of those that expressed my concerns about her proceeding with the trip after her collision on her first night out, which, after all, was possibly a real blessing in disguise for her. Ella's Pink Lady was repaired here in the yard where I'm now working and as you'd imagine she has a terrific following here so there is quite a bit of anticipation about her safe return.

What a wee ripper of a lass, 'happy to share her with the Kiwi's - I've no doubt that's where her sailing blood and adventuresome spirit has come from (they’re all quite mad over there you know!!!);):).

[Candyfloss]

You read it right Thad. At risk of telling my Grandmother how to suck eggs, the winds blow the opposite way 'round the highs & lows to what you are used to and the systems move East & North out of Antarctica.

That big high, now detached from Australia, will give us North Island Kiwis fine weather for a few days as it moves East, & the first of those fronts should arrive just in time to make Dawn Parade on ANZAC morning miserable. Right on cue. Winter starts on ANZAC Day.

Duncan, thanks for the map. That's great.

Larks, while I am incredibly proud for her & what she has achieved, I didn't & I don't approve of sending one so young out on their own to do something like this. Jesse is obviously an outstanding girl, but I am just counting down the days 'till she's home safe.

A personal note. I also have a young daughter, well, she's 22 now, of whom I am immensely proud. She is at Victoria University, Wellington, studying Law, and has recently been offered a scholarship to finish her degree at Harvard, and she has been sailing since she was a baby, but there is no way on Earth that at 16 years of age she could have done this. In fact at 16 years of age she couldn't change schools. I know, 'cause she tried to come live with me in Auckland and went back to Tauranga with her tail between her legs. Her name is Abby.

It was said on this Forum, just a little while ago, that there is nothing in this World that a man loves more than his daughter.

[Candyfloss]

Back to Jesse.

Forty knots, cold and miserable, shouldn't be too much for her.

There is nothing wrong with the World when the wind is aft the beam.

But she has run out of chocolate..........

[RFNK]

All credit to her, it's already a fantastic effort! But does her safe return mean that the `youngest round quest' doesn't represent foolish and irresponsible behaviour on the part of the adults behind it all? I don't think so. Rick

PS Hey Graeme, congratulations re your daughter's scholarship - wow! Really a great achievement - you've every right to be proud!

PPS You're welcome to have Phar Lap, Crowded House and pavlova back any time you like - can have Russell Crowe too!

[Candyfloss]

We absolutely agree on that Rick.

I have no use for Russell Crowe, thanks all the same, but Neil Finn is a personal friend.

I never met Pharlap.

[riveter]

[QUOTE=floatingkiwi;2564692]Yes, after her tanker striking start she is aware of just how small the ocean can be when it comes to other vessels.
Good on her eh. Unfortunately there is another chick out there now who is set to take the title from Jesse after a short time of her saying she is the youngest female solo circumnavigating title holder.

What Jessie is is THE "1ST" 16 YEAR OLD FEMALE (not CHICK)TO SAIL SOLO...for the record .

[Candyfloss]

Hi Riveter. Welcome.

Jesse has posted on several occasions words to the effect that she does not expect her record to stand for long. After all, she is sailing the same boat that the previous record-holder sailed home, what, two, three years ago? She has also posted,on more than one occasion, that she wishes Abby nothing but the very best.

For myself, I worry for Abby. She has a pig of a boat, not in the least designed for the purpose for which it is being used. Frankly, I can't bear to follow her progress. I hope to wake up one morning and read that she is safe at home.

[RFNK]

Have to admit I do admire Neil Finn, and he's certainly 100% Kiwi! First saw him perform with Split Enz at Sydney Town Hall in about 1974 I think. 6 Months in a Leaking Boat became your national anthem not long after that didn't it? Neil Finn certainly reached greater heights of fame but I liked Tim's `out there' approach to trying different things - quite a fascinating rock 'n roll relationship that one I think! Must be very interesting people to know - certainly immensely talented. Rick

[TimH]

Great song!

[Candyfloss]

Jesse seems to pretty much have her hands full with this storm passing thru. No Blog for two days, but her Mum reports she called in last night & all is well.

This is very late in the season to be sailing thru here. These storms can be expected to continue spinning out of Antarctica, about one a week. They always seem to arrive in NZ on the weekend.

[JimJ]

I believe NZ has moved slightly west lately. So in a few million years, maybe the storms, cold fronts will pass NZ on Thursday and Friday and it will be clear on the weekends.

Remember - good things come to those who wait.

[Candyfloss]

Actually Jim, I was hoping we would move further North & it would get warmer.

That storm collapsed before it got here. Anzac morning has dawned fine and clear. There is a parade thru town this morning with a service at the memorial outside the RSA which I will attend, and I will give a prayer of thanks for the special relationship we have with our mates across the Ditch.

Jesse's storm has passed thru, but not without the tail of it knocking her down on the way past, just when she thought things were settling down, but no harm done. These storms are driving her too far North; she's got to get further South or she will end up in Bass Straight whether she wants it or no.

Thanks for that weather map Duncan. Bloody magic, a self-updating weather map. Does anyone live in that bit of Australia that TC Sean is threatening?

[Candyfloss]

Here's the original, guys.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WG48Ftsr3OI&playnext_from=TL&videos=YhJnOc8hKb0&feature=featured

And this from Wiki.

The Anzac spirit or Anzac legend is a concept which suggests that Australian (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia) and New Zealand (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand) soldiers possess shared characteristics, specifically the qualities those soldiers are believed to have shown on the battlefield in World War I (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_I).[1] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ANZAC_spirit#cite_note-0) These qualities cluster around several ideas, including endurance, courage, ingenuity, good humour, larrikinism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larrikinism), and mateship (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mateship).[2] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ANZAC_spirit#cite_note-AWM-1) According to this concept, the soldiers are perceived to have been innocent and fit, stoical and laconic, irreverent in the face of authority, naturally egalitarian and disdainful of British (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom) class differences.[3] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ANZAC_spirit#cite_note-Manne-2)
The Anzac spirit also tends to capture the idea of an Australian and New Zealand "national character", with the Gallipoli Campaign (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gallipoli_Campaign) often described as being the moment of birth of the nationhood of both Australia[3] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ANZAC_spirit#cite_note-Manne-2) and New Zealand.[4] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ANZAC_spirit#cite_note-3)[5] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ANZAC_spirit#cite_note-4)[6] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ANZAC_spirit#cite_note-5)
The concept was first expressed in the reporting of the landing at Anzac Cove (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landing_at_Anzac_Cove) by Ellis Ashmead-Bartlett (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellis_Ashmead-Bartlett); as well as later on and much more extensively by Charles Bean (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Bean). (Edited)

[Steve Paskey]

For myself, I worry for Abby. She has a pig of a boat, not in the least designed for the purpose for which it is being used. Frankly, I can't bear to follow her progress. I hope to wake up one morning and read that she is safe at home.

As it turns out, Abby Sunderland is abandoning her attempt at a non-stop circumnavigation because of equipment failure -- the main autopilot is dead, and her backup is unreliable. She'll stop at Cape Town for repairs, then continue with her circumnavigation. From the Associated Press:


MARINA DEL REY, Calif. – A 16-year-old Southern California girl hoping to become the youngest person to sail around the world alone has ended her quest and will head to South Africa for boat repairs.

Abby Sunderland wrote on her blog Saturday that it would be "foolish and irresponsible" to keep going after losing use of her boat's main autopilot. She expects to land in Cape Town in about two weeks. Even with her nonstop attempt over, Sunderland writes she will complete her trek back to Marina del Rey.

[Steve Paskey]

As for Jesse, she went through a 90-degree knockdown yesterday ... 10 meter seas, and winds at 35 knots gusting to 40. But all is well and she's in good spirits.

www.jessicawatson.com.au/_blog/Official_Jessica_Watson_Blog/

[paladin]

Damn....losing a MAIN autopilot so she's gonna stop. Myself and a few dozen others didn't even have a damned autopilot. What do they do for dinner...look in the refrigerator for a custom prepared meal of steak, pmmes fritas and then spend 20 minutes selecting the wine.....Give her some rice, flour, salt pepper, dried milk and some canned goods and pencil and paper and find her way home. Kill all the electrics...then maybe she'll accomplish something.

In 4 years I've had three folks wanting certification with the Slocum Society for their "Stunts....we don't do stunts. You play by the same rules and then don't whine because you didn't comply with the rules.

[The Bigfella]

Its a joy to read her reports.

[Steve Paskey]

Damn....losing a MAIN autopilot so she's gonna stop. Myself and a few dozen others didn't even have a damned autopilot.

It's not just the main ... her backup is unreliable. At one point a few weeks ago she spent 24 straight hours at the wheel in rough weather. And yes, it can be done ... but were you and those few dozen others attempting a non-stop solo circumnavigation?

[Candyfloss]

It'll be dead winter by the time Abby gets here. Going south of Australia in May/June is insane, and Cape Leuwin is not a required mark on the course. She could go thru Torres Straight, but then the wind is the wrong way and she says her boat won't go to weather. Personally, I hope for her sake she flags it.

[Candyfloss]

Man. Jesse's folks continue getting this arse about face don't they. Todays news.

Quote:-

25-Apr-2010
http://www.jessicawatson.com.au/the-latest-newsJessica’s publisher Hachette Australia, are proud to announce that the title of her book will be Jessica Watson - True Spirit.

I don't doubt it's an excellent title, but lets just get her bloody home first eh? She's off a lee shore in the most notorious stretch of water in the world at the wrong time of year & they are bleating about a bloody book. Like it was their achievement.

I won't be drawing a breath 'till she's rounded Tasmania, then we can start to relax.

[Paul Fitzgerald]

Berrimilla was dismasted just north of Gabo Island, so the NSW coast is no doddle, especially against the eastern australian current as winter approaches.

Plenty of big ships and hard stuff, like Bass Strait, difficult for a singlehander.

[Larks]

Looks like more heavy going in the next day or so for her as well

[Candyfloss]

You are right Paul. I'll take back the bit about starting to relax. This could all go horribly wrong right here.

That is an ugly weather map.

[GaryK]

Top marks to Jessica and everything, I dont doubt and never did, that she will achieve her goal.
But the book... I've read several books by nonstop solo sailors, they dont have much to say since they don't actually get to experience much, beyond the boat tipping over a few times, comment how the water looks different today and praising their massive support/management team. I think I'll pass.

[TimH]

Despite the fact that today started with a knockdown, a wet bunk, a headache and some pretty huge seas, I've had a great day. I know the words knockdown and great don't belong in the same sentence, but right now I'm feeling better than I have all week. And I don't mean that I've been feeling lousy all week, I mean that right now I've got sore cheeks from smiling all afternoon.

The wind started coming up yesterday and sat on about 35 knots all night with maybe the odd gust reaching close to 40, which isn't really a big deal with Ella’s Pink Lady sailing under just the storm jib, because I was being extra conservative (i.e. my nerves weren't really feeling up to any fast surfing!).

To read more of Jessica's post, head to her blog (http://www.facebook.com/note_redirect.php?note_id=396153224360&h=8b6c004882ed59e14968b0593e47a6fc&url=http%3A%2F%2Fjessicawatson.com.au%2F_blog%2FOf ficial_Jessica_Watson_Blog%2Fpost%2FKnockdown%2C_H uge_Seas_and_a_Buzz_from_Customs%2F).


http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs462.ash1/25368_421602159923_275671364923_5403268_5946434_n. jpg

[The Bigfella]

http://jessicawatson.com.au/_webapp_466891/More_Wild_Weather_Forecast_Tomorrow

27-Apr-2010

Despite being close to home, the Australian waters are not doing Jessica many favours as she looks set to encounter more extreme conditions tomorrow as she heads towardsTasmania, on the final stretch of her solo around the world voyage.
A large low pressure system is due to sweep south of South Australia tonight and Wednesday morning which will create huge seas and more gale force winds.
Maximum wave heights into Wednesday evening may exceed 12 metres, which is as high as a three or four storey building. While the winds will ease on Thursday, the swells are expected to remain strong.

In order to avoid the worst of the weather, Jessica has headed north today. This will delay her arrival back into Sydney, but safety is the first concern of Jessica and all her shore crew.

The good news is that conditions should improve towards the end of the week, as Jessica heads towards the south coast of Tasmania.

We will keep everyone updated with another report on Wednesday evening (AEST).

[JimJ]

I thought I would add the chart to the second page.


http://www.bom.gov.au/fwo/IDY00050.png
(http://www.bom.gov.au/fwo/IDY00050.png)

[Candyfloss]

Thanks Jim. I've been trying to figure out how to do that & failed utterly.

This is edge-of-your-seat stuff. She's running out of room, & running out of time. These storms don't stop coming.

[Phil Y]

Wind speed and direction charts here. http://www.bom.gov.au/jsp/marine/wind/index.jsp
You can look forward for 7 days. Last night looks to have been particularly nasty, but things are settling down
Phil

[Larks]

Gidday Phil, where are you these days? We're overdue for an update of your own eh??!!!! Any more plans for Balia?

[Phil Y]

Hiya greg. Balia is in Tassie, after a pretty good sail down. I've done a separate post updating. We plan to keep her there for the next year or two
Phil

[Larks]

Don't know how I missed that, but for anyone else who did:
http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthread.php?t=113187

[Steve Paskey]

A wild ride, but she's hanging in there. This was posted to her blog earlier today:


And last night things sure got interesting. I put the drogue (a parachute like thing that you trail behind the boat to slow you down in really big seas) out to stop us losing too much ground and to stop us being knocked down. The wind gusted at 55 knots and the sea was (and still is!) a total, gigantic mess, with 8-12 meter swells. Although the wind is easing now, the sea's still rising.

Riding out the weather with the drogue out was a lot like my first gale in Ella's Pink Lady because of the new motion and all the new noises. It didn't make for the most relaxing night as I played around with the bridle to try and get us sitting at the right angle to the waves. Then when I did put my head down for a bit of sleep we were knocked down again when the lashing came off the tiller and a big wave caught us on the side.

This time we went more than 90 degrees over, port (left) side down for a change. No damage again but this time my big bottle of dishwashing liquid worked its way out of the locker and went flying, empting its contents absolutely everywhere! The whole cabin including the key board I'm typing on is covered in sticky, slippery, bubbly lemon fresh washing up liquid -lovely....

It's still going to be some time before the sea drops off and we're able to head south, which is going to delay my arrival date back. But on the up side, these waves are just amazing. I spent years dreaming about what waves like this looked like and they are 10 times more incredible than I'd ever imagined. I just can't believe I sailed the whole way around the world to see them when here they are right in my own backyard!

[Larks]

What an absolutely wonderful outlook this young lady has, inspiring!! There is a terrific lesson right there for anyone planning an offshore trip.

The last young Australian guy who did this would have been blubbing into his handy-cam' and crying for his mum, not marveling at what the storm has created for him as Jessica is. (Having just rubbished him, that particular guy who was far from impressive and even less interesting and inspiring, seems to have become quite a decent bloke !)

[Candyfloss]

She certainly seems to have her hands full. No blog for two days.

This is the same boat as "that young fella" sailed in too.

[WX]

I seems she is far more competent than the media made us believe at the start.

[JimJ]

I have seen statements that it is the same boat, but from reading Jesse' site, it appears that it is the same design, not the same boat.

From Jesse's site

Ella’s Pink Lady

http://www.jessicawatson.com.au/assets/images/yacht01.png
The S&S (Sparkman and Stephens) 34, a classic design from the famous Sparkman & Stephens, it is known firstly for its seaworthiness, toughness and track record. It is a boat capable of consistent speeds and one that Jessica can easily handle.


The S&S 34 became famous after Jon Sanders, David Dicks and Jesse Martin used them for their history making solo circumnavigations.


There is now an S&S 34 association and hundreds of other S&S 34 have made and are making successful circumnavigations and offshore passages.
S&S 34’s are commonly entered in the notorious Sydney to Hobart and many participate in club racing all around Australia and the world.

[Steve Paskey]

She certainly seems to have her hands full. No blog for two days.

There's a short update... She has rounded Tasmania and is heading north to Sydney!


Good news. Ella's Pink Lady and I have made it around the South East Cape of Tasmania and we're now headed north on the final leg to Sydney!

We passed well clear of land, in the dark and with not the nicest conditions. But I still got a big kick out of it.

I never expected rounding Tasmania to be much of a big deal, but all of last week's struggles made finally getting around the cape 10 times sweeter. (Insiders tip, jumping up and down in a 5 metre swell isn't a good idea. ouch!) There's no letting the guard down yet, but it's great to be back in to more familiar waters.

I'm also thrilled to be headed north into warmer temperatures again. OK, so it's not really that cold down here. mostly I'm just complaining. But with a bit of water on your hands, this wind only takes a few minutes to make your hands go numb when working on deck.

After all my worrying, this time we got lucky and the expected weather didn't get as bad as it might have. It's been pretty breezy for the last few days, but gusted to not much more than 40 knots last night. The wind is sitting on about 25 knots at the moment and the swells are starting to die off as we pass into the lee of Tasmania.

[Steve Paskey]

A picture from a few days ago:

http://www.jessicawatson.com.au/assets/images/JW%201omtrs.JPG

[Phil Y]

"pretty breezy" Master of understatement.

[Steve Paskey]

A four-day forecast chart:

http://www.bom.gov.au/fwo/IDG00074.gif?20100502035028

[Candyfloss]

Good news guys. Excellent news.

You are right WX, she is one tough little cookie. I remember posting on a previous thread, when she passed Cape Aghullas, that she may well be sorely tried by this stretch of water. Well, she was, and she came up trumps. Bloody good on her.

All going well, 4 maybe 5 days to Sydney?

[floatingkiwi]

My thoughts wander on frequent occasion , to this girl and her journey and where do I go to check the latest? Why none other but this thread. Thanks Graeme, for your continued interest on this matter.

With all due respect to Abby Sutherland and all parties involved in her quest, I am kinda happy for Jess. All we need is a flotilla of ever increasing youth, abandoning their precious years to form their lives and set out to better this accomplishment. Abbys abandonment might make those thinking of it , and who may be set up for an expensive disaster,(or not),think twice.
Following Jess and her voyage, among many things, there is a certainty one should be prepared for . Multiple knockdowns a long way from help.

[Candyfloss]

Thanks Kerry, it's been my pleasure to host all these fine folk on this Thread.

Home by Sunday? Bigfella, can you organize the Ozzie Navy to meet her & give her an escort into Sydney Harbour? I reckon there will be one hell of a scrum when she appears off the Heads, & we don't want her to get hurt at this stage.

Nothing in the Kiwi media this morning. I'll see what I can do about that.

[The Bigfella]

I think we can organise a bit of a party.

I'll be in town on Friday and again next Thursday. I reckon Friday's a bit early... Thursday next week would be good.

[Thad]

The wind prospects look good for the rest of the week. Great ride! Have fun at the party!

[Steve Paskey]

In case anyone hasn't noticed ... that 4-day forecast chart I posted gets updated daily, and it automatically updates itself here as well.

[Thad]

I wondered how you did that.

[Steve Paskey]

I wondered how you did that.

I didn't "do" anything, and was quite surprised when I first noticed that the chart was updating itself. The obvious answer is that when they update the chart each day, they give it the exact same web address as the previous chart. Thus, whenever you pull up this page of the forum, it brings up the current version of the chart.

[TimH]

Hopefully she doesnt pull a Bernard Moitessier on us.

[floatingkiwi]

What did Bernard Moitessier do to get his name recognized?

[Ian McColgin]

Bernard Moitessier simply was Moitessier.

He could be a bit quirky. On our west coast he was doing off-shore sailing seminars on Joshua. No sailing or leaving the dock or live demos, mind you. Just the opportunity to bask in his inscruitable presence.

Mine you, I've read his books including the autobio and admire him greatly. Unlike Tristan Jones, whom I also rather differently admire, Moitessier so far as I know told truth. But he was odd. He became fameous at least in part by appearing to shun fame.

[CharlieCobra]

Like when he decided to blow off the "Round the World" race he was leading and sailed on past because he felt like sailing....

[TimH]

What did Bernard Moitessier do to get his name recognized?

He abandoned his leading position in the race and kept on sailing because he didnt want to deal with crowds.

The decision to abandon is instructive of Moitessier's character - although driven and competitive, he passed up a chance at instant fame and a record, and sailed on for three more months. Sir Robin Knox-Johnston (http://forum.woodenboat.com/wiki/Robin_Knox-Johnston) went on to both win the race and become the first man to circumnavigate the globe alone without stopping.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/6/62/Joshua001.jpg/220px-Joshua001.jpg (http://forum.woodenboat.com/wiki/File:Joshua001.jpg) http://bits.wikimedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify-clip.png (http://forum.woodenboat.com/wiki/File:Joshua001.jpg)
Joshua, restored, at the Maritime Museum at La Rochelle (http://forum.woodenboat.com/wiki/La_Rochelle)


Although he abandoned the race, Moitessier still circumnavigated the world, crossing his path off South Africa, and then sailing almost two-thirds of the way round a second time, all non-stop and mostly in the roaring forties (http://forum.woodenboat.com/wiki/Roaring_forties) - a total of 37,455 miles in 10 months. Despite heavy weather and a couple of severe knockdowns, he contemplated rounding the Horn again. However, he decided that he and Joshua had had enough and sailed to Tahiti

[Candyfloss]

Moitessier was certainly a remarkable character. Abandoning a race you are winning to go sailing is not something you read about every day. Apparently he was sick of the fame he already had before he even set out. The thought of being even more famous challenged his sense of self-worth. He was an ascetic. Besides, he was having fun on the rollercoaster. "Oh, bougre rentrer à la maison. Laissez-nous faire le tour une fois de plus." (That's a Google Translate so I apologise in advance to any French-speaking Forumites.)

But I don't think Jesse will do that. From her blog:-

I'm also desperate to do a bit of travelling. I know that sounds a bit crazy, but I mean the sort of traveling where you stop places and meet people!

Wind's on the nose & looks like staying that way, so this could be a long haul.

Winter sailing in the Antipodes; there is always either too much wind or not enough.

[PeterSibley]

I remember Moitessier's actions being extremely devisive in those days .The racing guys thought he was absolutely insane , the cruisers loved him .

It became quick way of judging if you were going to get along with a person or group ,just mention Moitessier and wait !:D

[jak3b]

Moitessier's books had a huge impact on my life and how I felt growing up.I spent alot of time at school looking out the window and doodeling boats.2 books I read once a year whether I need to or not are "The Long Way" by Moitessier and "Saga Of Cimba" by Richard Maury.

[Candyfloss]

Well.

The Tall Poppy Syndromers are out in force ain't they.

Todays news:-

There is a sea of confusion over whether Jessica Watson has sailed far enough north to enter the record books for her round the world bid.
Sail-world.com editor Rob Kothe claims the teen sailor's route has cut corners.
"According to the world sailing speed record council, her track doesn't meet the minimum requirements," he told Melbourne's 3AW.
"She didn't go far enough into the northern hemisphere, she just jinked above the equator in the middle of the Pacific and she actually needed to go up about another 1500km to make the total distance OK, to be in the same ballpark."
Mr Kothe said the Queensland teenager had not calculated her nautical miles properly.
In order to claim the world record a sailor must cover 21,600 nautical miles, based on point-to-point distances, not the actual distance travelled by the boat.
But the Watson camp is playing down the controversy, saying that when she sails into Sydney in mid-May she will have covered 23,000 nautical miles.
Her manager Andrew Fraser admits she might not "technically" meet the requirements to claim an official record.
But Mr Fraser maintains she will be the youngest person to sail solo and unassisted around the world.
"Technically no, and we've stated that from the start," he told 3AW.
"There's been nothing misleading from us, everything's been on the website from day one.
"Everything we said she's going to do she's done.
"I don't think anything will detract from the achievement."
Mr Fraser said the World Speed Sailing Racing Council (WSSRC) won't recognise Jessica's feat anyway because of their age-limit policy of 18 years and over.
"Technically Jesse Martin's record will never beaten," he said.
"Jessica approached the WSSRC last year and the advice she was given was quite simple.
"To do a southern hemisphere circumnavigation and sail around the world, she was required to start and return from the same port, cross all meridian of longitude and cross the equator.
"She's ticked all those boxes."
Watson is expected to sail into Sydney Harbour on May 16 - two days shy of her 17th birthday.
© 2010 AAP (http://news.smh.com.au/action/displayCopyrightNotice?sourceOrganisation=AAP)

Looks like they've shifted the goal posts. Nothing about the distance to sail, nothing about an age limit.

[Candyfloss]

Here are the rules as she understood them at the start of this voyage:-

The Route & The Rules

As this is a Southern Hemisphere voyage the significant landmarks are the southern tips of the American and African continents.

There are a few key targets I must achieve to qualify for around the world status. The approximate distance is 23,000 nautical miles (about 38,000 kilometres). I must depart and arrive from the same port, cross all lines of longitude, cross the equator entering into the Northern Hemisphere at least once and round the southern landmarks of South America and South Africa.

Someone is going to end up smelling of rotten eggs. There was a huge fuss when all this started, Jesse, Abby and the Dutch girl (remember her?). I don't recall the WSSRC (who the hell are they?) stating that there was no such record, since they had an age limit of 18, and they were the sole arbiters.

Or has this been a scam from day one?

[rufustr]

She has travelled a similar distance to Kay Cottee.

http://www.womenaustralia.info/exhib/sg/cottee.html

A singlehand nonstop circumnavigation eastabout from/to Sydney, Australia, via St Paul's Rocks in the North Atlantic and south of the five southernmost capes, west to east, commencing November 29, 1987, and finishing June 5, 1988. Total sailing time 189 days 0 hours 32 minutes, logging 22,100 miles at an average speed of 116.93 miles per day. The voyage was completed without touching land, and without any form of outside aid apart from radio contact.

St Paul's Rocks are here.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f9/Orthographic_projection_centred_over_St_Peter_and_ St_Paul_Rocks.png

http://www.worldwildlife.org/wildworld/profiles/terrestrial/nt/nt1318_full.html

Try telling Kay Cottee she wasn't the first woman to sail solo round the world.

[Candyfloss]

And typically of the Kiwi media, this was all over the news tonight, even tho they have shown absolutely no interest in it up 'till now.

Tall poppy syndrome.

[The Bigfella]

And typically of the Kiwi media, this was all over the news tonight, even tho they have shown absolutely no interest in it up 'till now.

Tall poppy syndrome.

Small Kiwi syndrome, actually

[purri]

So who gives a wotund wat's wectum about any of this fluff?

[Larks]

Actually I do (and it seems quite a few others). She's done a marvelous job and maintained a wonderful attitude throughout, including at/prior to the start in the face of adversity and criticism from the likes of myself.

Regardless of any records or wowsers, I have no doubt that this young lady will stand as a wonderful role model and inspiration to many young people for a long time.

Well done all around - stuff the wowsers and tall poppy harvesters!!!

[ewan]

As she is going to be 'taking the record' off of someone else should there not be a parity between them? Where is the respect for his achievement if the disparity is allowed to stand.

It was pointed out to them that her distance was too short before she set off, no?

Still, I'd like to sail for that long in one go... But, I'd just go round the Western and Eastern Isles tho..

[PeterSibley]

Yep ,agreed Greg ...a brilliant effort for anyone , let alone someone so young !

[WX]

It seems the world record category for worlds youngest circumnavigation no longer exists for safety reasons. Still, I'm not going to criticize her. She's done stuff I'd be reluctant to do.

[Larks]

It seems the world record category for worlds youngest circumnavigation no longer exists for safety reasons.

I recall that happened just after Jesse Watson left when the fiasco about the young Dutch girl was going on.

[Steve Paskey]

I don't recall the WSSRC (who the hell are they?) stating that there was no such record, since they had an age limit of 18, and they were the sole arbiters.

Below is a description of the WSSRC from their web site. They exist to ratify sailing speed records. Obviously, if one is trying to claim the speed record for a circumnavigation, the length of the voyage is critical. (For that reason, they also ban the use of an engine except in an emergency.)

Jessica isn't trying to claim a speed record and isn't looking for certification of the voyage from the WSSRC. Therefore, whether or not she has satisfied their requirements seems completely irrelevant.


The World Sailing Speed Record Council was established by the International Yacht Racing Union (now renamed the International Sailing Federation) in 1972. The object was to provide impartial results for increasing numbers of claims to high speed sailing craft (on water: never on ice nor land!). Early on the decision was made to base such speed ratifications on a one-way leg of exactly 500 metres. Meetings were held every year, often several meetings a year, in various suitable places in the world and speeds climbed with boats of various configurations and with sailboards.

In 1988 following several controversial claims about the times and status of long voyages, WSSRC was asked to take over additionally offshore sailing records.

Since 2001 the organization has a full time Secretariat. Hardly a day goes by without some form of activity in what is now a separate and increasing branch of the sport of sailing. The undoubtedly expert council draws members from Australia, France, Great Britain and the USA. Its most immediate duty is the ratification, or otherwise, of timed claimed records, inshore and offshore, which have been achieved in accordance with the rules of WSSRC.

[Steve Paskey]

For what it's worth, here's the detailed explanation from sail-world.com as to why they're raining on Jessica's well-earned parade:

www.sail-world.com/Australia/Jessica-Watson:--Keeping-the-Record-Straight/69108

[Larks]

extracted from that link:



As happens in every sailing passage Jessica has not sailed a straight line, she has tacked and gybed and will have no doubt travelled around 23,000 miles according to her log. However according to the great circle calculations carried out by one of Australian leading offshore navigators and crossed checked by a number of others, she has travelled 18,265 nm orthodromic distance (or 19,631 rhumb line distance), which adds up to 2,335 nm LESS than the official round the world distance, and 3,495 nm less than Jesse Martin's official Performance Certificate distance.

To make sure there was no disagreement - the full distance travelled data set below was supplied last week to Andrew Fraser, Jessica's Public Relations Manager to check.


Great Circle NMRhumb Line NMSydney Start (Heads)33' 50 S151' 17 EtoLine Islands1' 40 N157' 21 W36003602.6Line Islands1' 40 N157' 21W toCape Horn55' 47 S67' 30 W54805653.7Cape Horn55' 47 S67' 30 WtoCape Agulhas35' 05 S19' 60 E35903840.7Cape Agulhas35' 05 S19' 60 EtoSE Cape Tasmania43' 38 S146' 49 E52885911.1SE Cape Tasmania43' 38 S146' 49 EtoSydney Finish (Heads)33' 50 S151' 17 E624 623.5 Total Distance1858219,631.6


We invited Andrew to present alternate numbers if he and Jessica's team felt they were wrong. Andrew acknowledged receipt of the data, but did not disagree with the point to point calculated numbers.

However the confusion remains. Yesterday one newspaper reported 'Jessica has passed the 22,000 nautical mile mark on her bid to become the youngest person to sail solo, non-stop and unassisted around the world

Why the distance discrepancy? The different set of distance has popped up because media has been given Jessica's distance sailed by summing distances sailed from sat tracking or perhaps daily logs, therefore counting every zig and zag across the oceans.


If that is true, I feel for her, she'll be quite a dissapointed young lady, having mostly relied on her shore team to tell her where to go and when throughout the trip.

[Candyfloss]

Thanks for that Steve.

So Kay Cottee didn't sail around the world either. Someone better tell her that. Bags not me.

[WX]

Thanks for that Steve.

So Kay Cottee didn't sail around the world either. Someone better tell her that. Bags not me.
I met her at Yamba, she has a marina there. Got chatting and made a dumb answer to a question....pretty sure she thinks I'm an idiot now....such is life.

[Steve Paskey]

Thanks for that Steve. So Kay Cottee didn't sail around the world either. Someone better tell her that. Bags not me.

Oh, this is funny. Below is an excerpt from an article published on sail-world.com in 2008. The same folks who now claim that Jesse's trip doesn't meet the requirements have previously said that Kay's did...


Where is she now? It's just 20 years since Sydney born Kay Cottee became the first woman to circle the globe by sailing solo non stop and unassisted.

Here's the full story:
http://www.sail-world.com/CruisingAus/index.cfm?SEID=0&Nid=45133&SRCID=0&ntid=0&tickeruid=0&tickerCID=0

Here's hoping that Kay goes to the press and says, yes, Jessica's trip counts, enough with the nonsense already.

[Steve Paskey]

While we're at it, I'm wondering if we need to revise history. Did Magellan's voyage comply with the WSSRC requirements?

[rufustr]

Note the date.


Jessica Watson sets sail on record attempt



From: AAP
October 18, 2009 9:05AM

Jessica Watson begins solo voyage





Farewelled by flotilla of small boats
Route similar to Kay Cottee's 1988 voyage


TEENAGE adventurer Jessica Watson has finally set sail on her quest to make history.

TEENAGE adventurer Jessica Watson has finally set sail on her quest to make history.
Her spokesman Andrew Fraser said Jessica got off to a good start and many people came out in boats and lined the headland to cheer her on when she took off aboard her yacht, Ella's Pink Lady, from the Spit in Middle Harbour.
"There is probably about 100 boats out here (seeing her off)," he said.
Mr Fraser said the weather conditions were good and that winds should pick up once she got past the heads.
NSW Maritime boats escorted Jessica out of the Heads.

The 16-year-old Queensland teenager wants to become the youngest person to sail single-handedly around the world.




The teenager from Queensland's Sunshine Coast and her team spent Saturday "fine-tuning" their preparations and planned to get a good night's sleep.

Her spokesman Andrew Fraser said she was relieved and upbeat to be finally beginning her voyage, after being delayed in Sydney by gusty winds last week.

"I said: 'How are you feeling?'," Andrew Fraser said. "She said: `I wake up tomorrow and sail around the world'."

Jessica is setting off on her quest despite calls for her to abandon the voyage from the likes of the Queensland Government and some of Australia's most experienced sailors.

Concerns were heightened when her yacht collided with a 63,000-tonne cargo vessel off North Stradbroke Island during an aborted journey to Sydney last month.

But Mr Fraser dismissed the doubters.

"Let's have this conversation in eight months," he said, referring to the time Jessica is expected to take to sail around the world.

"It (the collision) may have been a blessing in disguise, to be honest," Mr Fraser said.

"I think we've learnt a lot from that experience, (and) Jessica has learnt a lot."

After leaving Sydney the 16-year-old will head towards northern New Zealand, then to Fiji, Samoa, South America and South Africa, then sail the final leg of 4000 nautical miles back to Australia.

Her route will be similar to that taken by Australian Kay Cottee, who became the first woman to sail solo, unassisted and non-stop around the world in 1988.


http://www.news.com.au/national/jessica-watson-sets-sail-on-record-attempt/story-e6frfkvr-1225787955399

Pardon my terrible editing.

[JimJ]

It didn't take long did it.

Go Jesse

[Duncan Gibbs]

Mr Kothe sounds a lot like a few of the bureaucratic types I have to deal with.

I wonder if he's ever completed a circumnavigation?

Pustulent carbuncle of a human being! I'll be sure never to purchase his magazine! :mad:

[JimJ]

28. EXPENSES
The person or organization making the record attempt is responsible for the legitimate expenses and remuneration of the WSSR Commissioner and any assistants. This must be paid before any record claim can be considered.

Say no more

[Steve Paskey]

28. EXPENSES
The person or organization making the record attempt is responsible for the legitimate expenses and remuneration of the WSSR Commissioner and any assistants. This must be paid before any record claim can be considered.

Say no more

Yes, that's exactly right. I was going to mention that. When Abby Sunderland's brother Zach did his voyage, the family was shocked to learn how much it would cost to have the WSSRC certify it. (In their view, Zach wouldn't have qualified anyway, as he didn't sail far enough and he used a motor in non-emergency situations.)

[paladin]

These idiots are a bunch of weenies that approached me several years ago to "sell" the Slocum Society to them to make it into a commercial enterprise. When I refused to be part of any such action, they formed "The Slocum Society International" and started issuing the same documents as the real Slocum Society. I own the rights to The Slocum Society, personally have copyrights on designs and insignias. The "official" recognition for sailing around the world is that you must cross and return across the equator and break ever line of longitude, no shortcuts. It is strictly for boats 60 feet and under, no engine used during the circumnavigation to propel the boat (a seal is on the engine during sanctioned races so that it can be used as a generator, and the wire broken if needed for emergency propulsion).
The weenie trying to sanction the record is doing so for "official" monetary gain.
To be certified, a complete copy of all logs must be presented with navigation calculations, and then documents from harbormasters etc for verification are obtained by the certifying authority. It takes about 6 months on the average, faster today because of e-mail. The last one that I did was totally by mail.
She could have recognition for a solo voyage, but not a record. "Stunts" or voyages solely for the purpose of setting a record is not normally certified.

[Candyfloss]

After a good night's sleep I'm back on an even keel. I'm glad I had to go out last night or I might have posted something here that I would regret.

Nothing on Jesse's Web page this morning NZ time. Her "comments" bag has shut down due to overload with only the very last post mentioning this. Unless I didn't search back far enough.

Thanks for your insight Chuck, but one question. You say that "stunts" are normally not recognized. By whom? WSSR or the Slocum Society? And surely, by definition, any voyage without a destination, which a non-stop solo circumnavigation is, is a "stunt".

I'm off to scour the news.

[Candyfloss]

This from The Australian pretty much sums my feelings.

While her family and backers are milking the publicity for all it's worth -- to the extent of co-ordinating her arrival time in Sydney with media sponsors -- yachties say her feat is genuine and deserves to be celebrated.

Anyone here not been pissed at her parents from day one?

[ssor]

I haven't read anywhere that she hit her antipodes. Isn't that one of the basic requirements for a true circumnavigation? She seems to have circumnavigated Antartica but not the world. With global warming it may soon be posible to sail around above 60 degrees north.

[Larks]

I don't really understand what it has to do with the WSSRC anyway:



The World Sailing Speed Record Council was established by the International Yacht Racing Union (now renamed the International Sailing Federation) in 1972. The object was to provide impartial results for increasing numbers of claims to high speed sailing craft (on water: never on ice nor land!). Early on the decision was made to base such speed ratifications on a one-way leg of exactly 500 metres. Meetings were held every year, often several meetings a year, in various suitable places in the world and speeds climbed with boats of various configurations and with sailboards.


Chuck, is your "Slocum Society" the same as "The Joshua Slocum Society" - or is that another one again?

[Steve Paskey]

Chuck: Are these folks the imposters?

www.joshuaslocumsocietyintl.org/

[Steve Paskey]

The "official" recognition for sailing around the world is that you must cross and return across the equator and break ever line of longitude, no shortcuts. .... She could have recognition for a solo voyage, but not a record. "Stunts" or voyages solely for the purpose of setting a record is not normally certified.

She doesn't need to have the "record" certified -- recognition for a solo voyage would be enough. (She can claim to be the youngest without having anyone "certify" that she's the youngest.) Chuck, you should contact her team and offer to review the records for certification. Seriously.

[paladin]

Chuck, is your "Slocum Society" the same as "The Joshua Slocum Society" - or is that another one again?

"My" Slocum Society is the original Slocam Society, and the only "Slocum Society".
The group in new England and listed on the internet is the "Slocaum Society International", the group that tried to purchase the original non profit society created by Richard Gordon McCloskey. They were created by the founders to be able to "sell" memberships to pay for their own boating expenses and have falsely advertised and issued various certificates trying to duplicate what we have....I could sue in court but it's a helluva expense and they know it. Personally I think they are all a bunch of crooks and my attorney stopped them at one time from advertising as "the Slocum Society".....so they call themselves the Slocum Society International and then forget to add the "International" whenever they discuss themselves. I have all the legal papers and documents and original 501(C)3 incorporation papers and Patent office and trademarks on the flag/Slocum drawings/they Spray logo.....


Steve...I could do that but right now I do not have the time or energy....

[Larks]

You might find this interesting Chuck, I was doing a bit of a search to learn more about the Slocum Society and the SS International "interlopers" and came up with this:

http://www.indigowaves.com/seymour/slocumcircle.html

The certificate says that it is issued by "The Slocum Society" but the links that are attached to it go to "Joshua Slocum Society International".

[Steve Paskey]

"My" Slocum Society is the original Slocam Society, and the only "Slocum Society".
The group in new England and listed on the internet is the "Slocaum Society International", the group that tried to purchase the original non profit society created by Richard Gordon McCloskey.

Not to hijack the thread... but in case you haven't noticed, the interlopers are publicly claiming that they are the group founded by McCloskey. From their web site:


The Joshua Slocum Society International (JSSI) is a non-profit corporation first incorporated in 1972. It was founded in 1955 by sailing enthusiast Richard Gordon McClosky to record, encourage, and support long distance passages in small boats.

[htom]

I don't understand the idea of her "hitting" or "making" her antipodes. I understand what antipodes are, just not how they apply in circumnavigation. If you sail around the world at 60º South, there's a ring of antipodes at 30º North. Which of those points are you supposed to "make" or "hit"? Just cross the northern ring? What's her northernmost point? How close to the southern antipodal point of that point did she sail?

[paladin]

Larks...the certificate that you show is legitemate...but it was not issued by the Slocum Society International....it was issued by my organization....Don Holm was the previous secretary/treasurer before me. They are not the original McCloskey organization and are using this to try to Legitimize themselves.

[Larks]

Larks...the certificate that you show is legitemate...but it was not issued by the Slocum Society International....it was issued by my organization....Don Holm was the previous secretary/treasurer before me. They are not the original McCloskey organization and are using this to try to Legitimize themselves.

That's what I thought.

[Steve Paskey]

I don't understand the idea of her "hitting" or "making" her antipodes. I understand what antipodes are, just not how they apply in circumnavigation. If you sail around the world at 60º South, there's a ring of antipodes at 30º North. Which of those points are you supposed to "make" or "hit"? Just cross the northern ring?

Yes, just cross the northern ring at any point.

Two antipodal points are exactly opposite each other on the globe. The *shortest* route that hits both points would be a circle around the circumference of the earth, one that divides the earth into two equal halves (aka a great circle route).

Obviously, it's not possible to complete a great circle route by boat ... continents get in the way. But regardless of the route taken, a circumnavigation that hits a pair of antipodal points -- ANY pair of antipodal points -- will cover a distance that's equal to or greater than the circumference of the earth.

The earth's circumference is 21,600 nautical miles. Indeed, the nautical mile is derived from the circumference: (360 degrees) x (60 minutes per degree) = 21,600 nm.

Sir Francis Chichester argued that a "true" circumnavigation must hit a pair of antipodal points. From the standpoint of the WSSRC and others, it isn't necessary to do that. Instead, they insist that a person start and leave from the same harbor, cross every line of longitude, cross the equator and back, AND follow a route that is at least 21,600 nm. (Distance covered by tacking back and forth, etc., doesn't count.)

From what I've read, it's my understanding that Jessica's *route* comes up a good 2000 nm short of 21,600, even though she's actually sailed more than 22,000 nm.

[floatingkiwi]

This from The Australian pretty much sums my feelings.

While her family and backers are milking the publicity for all it's worth -- to the extent of co-ordinating her arrival time in Sydney with media sponsors -- yachties say her feat is genuine and deserves to be celebrated.

Anyone here not been pissed at her parents from day one?

Wouldn't it be something to see her fall short of land and sail clear off into the horizon again.

[htom]

Ahh. So their complaint is that she should have sailed further north, either in the North Atlantic Ocean (to match a point in the Indian Ocean) or in the Indian Ocean (north of Papua New Guinea), to match her northern point in the North Atlantic.

http://www.antipodemap.com/

No. Those routes are circumnavigations, but they are not the only circumnavigations. New York City to the Cape of Good Hope to Darwin to Cape Horn to London doesn't have any antipodes, and you could harbor out and back in the Cape Verde Islands.

(If she was to sail by Sidney to do such a loop I'd worry about her sanity.)

[Candyfloss]

I do understand that the object of the exercise is to level the playing field for Northerners. There is a huge difference between sailing round the world from Portsmouth, and leaving from Auckland and sailing at 60deg South back home again. "Bye darling, see you in a month."

We could also have a lively debate about how they calculate that distance, do they use the rhumb line, how close to Cape Aghullas do you have to go, or any other landmark for that matter, round Statten Island, or thru Drake passage, etc. but Jesse seems unconcerned. In her usual understated way:-

I don't normally bother addressing critics because someone's always going to be saying something, no matter what I say or do. But I thought I'd have my 2 bobs worth on these claims that I haven't 'officially' sailed around the world.

Call me immature but I've actually been having a bit of a giggle over the whole thing. If I haven't been sailing around the world, then it beats me what I've been doing out here all this time! Yes it's a shame that my voyage won't be recognized by a few organizations because I'm under 18, but it really doesn't worry me.

That'll do me.

[htom]

Looking at the depiction of her voyage, the spike into the Northern Pacific appears to have an antipode somewhere in southern Africa, so in going by the Cape of Good Hope, she would have gone further south than required. Perhaps the graph is misleading.

(between Napan and Tabwakea, south of Hawaii; the antipodal point is in that big park in the D. R. Congo.)

[Thad]

From Vito Dumas to Jessica Watson, there is a fine southern hemisphere tradition of circumnavigating. This is not a speed competition much less one run by folks with a northern hemisphere bias. This is sailing and I, for one, (especially knowing now about Jessica's personal history) applaud her parents for their support, sensible support, and understanding, as well as the girl herself for her attitude and seamanship. Bring on the cheers!!!

[Thad]

Looks like calms and headwinds until Wednesday.

[Steve Paskey]

Looks like calms and headwinds until Wednesday.

They've set next Saturday, May 15, as the official arrival date. She could get there sooner, but she's not in a rush.

She does have a small problem, though:


The fuel system on the engine is still giving me grief, so I can't get the engine to start. This isn't the end of the world, it just means that I've got to be extra careful with power usage. If I can't get it going again, then Jesse and Mike will just have to row Ella's Pink Lady up to the dock after the finish line. No, only kidding, we'll work something out. I would be very nice to motor in under our own steam, so I'll keep trying.

[Candyfloss]

And the dunny is broken again, and she's eaten all the good food, but the sun is shining and she's got lots of fresh water. You win some, you lose some.

[purri]

There's a big ECL (east coast low) brewing up for next week.

[Candyfloss]

Nah mate. That's a Kiwi low. It's gonna rain on my parade, not hers.

[TimH]

http://video.au.msn.com/watch/video/jessica-on-the-home-stretch/xkfjw9k

[Steve Paskey]

A few snippets from her latest blog entry ... Pretty amazing kid for 16.


The little Yanmar engine is going again! A little delicately, but it is running with a water transfer pump rigged up in place of the fuel pump which had stopped working. It's pretty dodgey with all the miss matching hoses but should do the job. Apart from the kick I got from actually managing to fix something, it was quite a relief as we've pretty much had no wind at all the last two days, so the batteries were lower than I'd thought.

... If there's one thing I've learnt out here, it's that there's nothing that can't be fixed with enough perseverance, even if it means pulling some other part of the boat apart to do it!

... In one way I think sailing back through Sydney Heads is going to be as tough as it was sailing out through them. I'm told that things are going to change pretty majorly for me as well, so that's a little scary. But I'm not worried because I know that if I can find a reason to laugh while surrounded by huge waves, in the dark and after a knockdown, then I'll be able to smile through whatever comes my way.

[Larks]

if I can find a reason to laugh while surrounded by huge waves, in the dark and after a knockdown, then I'll be able to smile through whatever comes my way


That just seems to deserve repeating:)

[The Bigfella]

Her book should be a good read

[Candyfloss]

Nearly home.

Gotta love this kid's attitude.

Quote:-

Some time way back in the Atlantic, I remember I wrote about all the things I missed about home. So I thought I'd make a list of some of the things I'm going to miss out here. The first thing is pretty obvious, I'm going to miss getting up and going sailing every day! I'm going to miss being out of range of my annoying brother! I'm going to miss doing things at my own pace and singing at the top of my voice without clearing the room.

I'm going to miss the kick I get from overcoming challenges by myself, flying along in the dark. A new sunset every night and the time I always take to watch it. I'm going to miss watching the waves and sea. I know it's been nearly 7 months and I'm still not bored by it. The tumbling white tops when it's windy and the glassy reflections when it's not. I'm going to miss seeing Albatross circle around Ella's Pink Lady and beanie days for when finding a hair brush is just too much trouble!

Look at that crazy low in the Tasman. It's going backwards! No wonder she's got strong, cold, southerlies.

[ssor]

She writes very well.

[Larks]

Gotta love this kid's attitude


Absolutely!!!!

Though it sounds like her arrival is being very strictly orchestrated - I'm kind a glad that sailing always means that schedules don't exist - no-one has told the media - I guess she's expecting to arrive in the middle of the night and have to hang around off the heads a while:



Jessica Watson: The Homecoming Live @ 11.00am

11.00am: Live and exclusive broadcast commences hosted by Bill Woods

11.30am: Jessica sails through the Heads

12.15pm: Arrival at the steps of the Sydney Opera House and exclusive coverage of Jessica’s reunion with her
family

12.30pm: Official proceedings at the Opera House

[htom]

Those are presumably Sydney times (and date)?

[Larks]

Those are presumably Sydney times (and date)?

Yes. Here's the link
http://www.jessicawatson.com.au/_webapp_475509/TEN_AND_ONE_HD_TO_WELCOME_JESSICA_WATSON_HOME_LIVE _AND_EXCLUSIVE

[Candyfloss]

"Orchestrated". I just love understatement.

Obviously, I'm not going to get Channel 10 & none of our broadcasters will cover it. Anyone know where I can get live feed? Think I'll go check out the opposition forum (don't even say that name).

[seayou7]

Imagine the excitement... what do you think the brethren who arrive on jet skis, ought to bring her while she waits hove to, for her arrival....besides a hot shower?

[Candyfloss]

Oh man. Those guys haven't improved since I was last there.

But you do find stuff out. Google Channel Ten News Australia on Saturday morning.

[Larks]

Jessica Watson: The Homecoming Live @ 11.00am

11.00am: Live and exclusive broadcast commences hosted by Bill Woods

11.30am: Jessica sails through the Heads

12.15pm: Arrival at the steps of the Sydney Opera House and exclusive coverage of Jessica’s reunion with her
family

12.30pm: Official proceedings at the Opera House

I just flicked the TV on to see what's happening with Jesse. Orchestrated schedule? I think the media are starting to get the message that wind and tide wait for no man (woman). Jess is coming in on her own time, current ETA about 1500, so all the media goons are sitting around trying to fill the time with all sorts of inane comment and discussion.

I do believe she is also keeping our PM waiting! Brilliant!!

Edited to add, she' still about 3nm outside the heads at 1245

[hansp77]

I've been watching on and off all morning.
Totally hammed up by the commercial networks, but that is to be expected.
Jesse Martin and some other round the world young sailor are on the boat, motoring it in for her now that she has crossed the finishing line, and the through her earpiece the dopey TV presenters have been trying to inject mundane questions during the moments she spots her parents on the boat next to her and breaks into tears. Gotta love the insensitive presenters. Give a moment for F***S sake!:rolleyes:

Good on the girl.
I hope she makes it through the media and political frenzy that is just about to get worse.
Totally overwhelming.

[PeterSibley]

I hope she survives the next two weeks of circus !

Well Done That Girl !:):):)

[shamus]

:):)
Handling the media with panache.
Well done indeed.:)

[GaryK]

:):)
Handling the media with panache.
Well done indeed.:)

Telling me! When David Dicks completed his voyage, in front of the throngs in Fremantle, all he could manage was teenager speak:

"uh... ...spun out".

Jessica is a completely different kettle of fish.
A marketer's dream. If that Max Markson has his way, she'd be under lock and key for the next 2 weeks, only opening her mouth when there's a 6 figure sum involved. Current Affair and 60Minutes here we come.. :eek:

[Candyfloss]

All I could get was a 2 min segment on the 6 o'clock news.:( (My first ever emoticon, & I hope, my last.)

I'm just so glad she's home safe. She has done an amazing thing, something I for one never thought a sixteen-yearold capable of doing, never mind a giggly girl from the Sunshine Coast. (No offense intended to my Aussie mates.) I hope she handles the media hype, & the reality of notoriety, as well as she handled the voyage. Good luck to her.

On the subject of girls doing well, my own daughter Abby has been studying law at Victoria University, Wellington these last four years. She sent me this email this morning. I have to admit I cried.

Hi Dad

Haha ok so you won't believe this....

When I got home on Thursday night, there was a rather large package waiting for me. I opened it up, it contained an absolutely beautiful leather compendium, tied up with a black ribbon emblazed with "Kensington Swan"... I opened it up, in the business card slot there was a sample business card WITH MY NAME ON IT, a letter with congratulations etc expressing the wish that I take up the offer, two copies of my contract to read and send in, and another silver envelope with a invitation in it to a congratulations-dinner with the firm on Tueday night. Haha!! Kind of shocked! It's like after me putting in all that effort to impress them, they are now trying really really hard to impress me :)

So, $42k starting salary, they pay for profs and time off (prop worth $6k in total), a $1000 one-off clothing allowance, starting in late Feb!! SO $48k incl benefits is not bad at all for my first year of work...

I finish uni for good just before Xmas. So that is about 7 weeks off between finishing school and work. I'm planning to fly to Bangkok, be in Thailand for new years, trip around a bit then head to Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, then back home to start work as a corporate lawyer for one of the top five firms in the country!

Suppose I should open a bottle of wine and celebrate.... :)

Love you,


Abby.

She has done this entirely on her own. Her mother & I split up when she was 2 yrs old. She has asked nothing of me, nor so far as I know, of her mother. She has no student loan. By "profs" she means that next year she will sit the Bar. She has a double degree, by the way, somehow in those four years she found time to get a B.A. as well as L.L.B.

[The Bigfella]

Well done Jessica... and well done Abby.

[Portland]

Jesse Watson is a brave girl alright.
But what is quickly forgotten is the mountain of work done for her , particularly in regard to assessing the weather , plotting her course etc , and problem solving .
I'd much prefer to hear this outside input acknowledged.
On the other hand your Abbey has put in the hard yards herself , and has every reason to be very proud of her achievement .
Regards Rob J.

[Larks]

Good reason to shed a tear by the sounds of it Graeme - a very proud moment for you mate, congratulations indeed Abby.

[rufustr]

An outstanding Achievement by a girl mature beyond her years, who handled the reception with a confidence and dignity that left me gobsmacked.

I wish Jessica all the best for her future, and look forward to her next adventure.

Amazing and outstanding.

:cool::cool::cool::cool::cool::cool:

[Hwyl]

Well done

[RFNK]

Yep, that's great Graeme - congratulations again!
Congratulations to Jessica, of course - there's no denying it's a fantastic and remakable achievement, and it's great to see her home and safe. Rick

[MiddleAgesMan]

She's proved she's made of different stuff...not many folks of ANY age/sex would have come through with all faculties intact including humor and general optimism.

My congrates to Jessica, and Abby, too!

[Duncan Gibbs]

My hearty congratulations to Jessica Watson! An outstanding achievement by an outstanding human being.

My secret hope is that her achievement will help re-popularise sailing in this country and help stem the tide of gas-guzzling ski-boats and other ugly stink potting reverse sheer abominations. The fact that she wants to pursue competitive sailing may well kick this hope of mine along somewhat.

[Larks]

Claims on the news this morning that she'll be a millionaire by the end of the year with endorsements.

[schoonerpacket]

Sounds about right. Good for her. There are far easier ways to get the money and not all of them legal. I'd say she worked for it.

[Candyfloss]

Sounds about right. Good for her. There are far easier ways to get the money and not all of them legal. I'd say she worked for it.

Good on you mate.

[floatingkiwi]

That is just fantastic, Graeme. You must be so proud. What a remarkable attitude. I am really happy for you mate.
Kerry


All I could get was a 2 min segment on the 6 o'clock news.:( (My first ever emoticon, & I hope, my last.)

I'm just so glad she's home safe. She has done an amazing thing, something I for one never thought a sixteen-yearold capable of doing, never mind a giggly girl from the Sunshine Coast. (No offense intended to my Aussie mates.) I hope she handles the media hype, & the reality of notoriety, as well as she handled the voyage. Good luck to her.

On the subject of girls doing well, my own daughter Abby has been studying law at Victoria University, Wellington these last four years. She sent me this email this morning. I have to admit I cried.

Hi Dad

Haha ok so you won't believe this....

When I got home on Thursday night, there was a rather large package waiting for me. I opened it up, it contained an absolutely beautiful leather compendium, tied up with a black ribbon emblazed with "Kensington Swan"... I opened it up, in the business card slot there was a sample business card WITH MY NAME ON IT, a letter with congratulations etc expressing the wish that I take up the offer, two copies of my contract to read and send in, and another silver envelope with a invitation in it to a congratulations-dinner with the firm on Tueday night. Haha!! Kind of shocked! It's like after me putting in all that effort to impress them, they are now trying really really hard to impress me :)

So, $42k starting salary, they pay for profs and time off (prop worth $6k in total), a $1000 one-off clothing allowance, starting in late Feb!! SO $48k incl benefits is not bad at all for my first year of work...

I finish uni for good just before Xmas. So that is about 7 weeks off between finishing school and work. I'm planning to fly to Bangkok, be in Thailand for new years, trip around a bit then head to Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, then back home to start work as a corporate lawyer for one of the top five firms in the country!

Suppose I should open a bottle of wine and celebrate.... :)

Love you,


Abby.

She has done this entirely on her own. Her mother & I split up when she was 2 yrs old. She has asked nothing of me, nor so far as I know, of her mother. She has no student loan. By "profs" she means that next year she will sit the Bar. She has a double degree, by the way, somehow in those four years she found time to get a B.A. as well as L.L.B.

[purri]

Read the SMH. The Watson parents are mega wealthy. A fella fitted the hull out and donated equipment of his design (without due credit). Markson et al spun it up for a multi mil $ profit.

[htom]

Congratulations, Abby (and Graeme!)

Jessica Walton. She's done a remarkable thing (or had it done to her, perhaps a bit of both) and I hope she finds new challenges to keep her focused -- and happy.