Jessica Watson Sets Record for Youngest Female to Sail the World Unassisted

Jessica Watson has earned the right to say to the entire world those seven little words that John LockeJohn Locke — one of the main characters on the hit TV show LOST — made so famous: “Don’t tell me what I can’t do!”

Without a doubt, she has proven that she can — sail around the world solo, that is. The seventeen-year-old — who was sixteen when she departed — recently achieved her goal of circumnavigating the world’s oceans by herself when she arrived back at her starting point of Sydney, Australia Saturday, May 15th.

Jessica sailed away in Ella’s Pink LadyPink Lady, a Sparkman & Stevens 34 sailboat, on October 17, 2009. In seven months, she dealt with everything from big swells to failed engines to small leaks and fish that got away. On the positive side, she experienced colorful sunrises, shooting stars, dolphins swimming by her side and the distinct knowledge that she can do anything she sets her mind to.

She sailed from Sydney south around the tips of Africa and South America. She passed the four capes — Cape Horn, Cape Agulhas, Cape Leeuwin and the Cape of SE Tasmania — and crossed the Equator twice. She traversed the entire 23,000 nautical miles nonstop and unassisted.

To achieve around-the-world status, Watson had to do several things: 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.

She kept in touch with her family through radio equipment and with the world through her blog, in which she discussed each day’s events, including the weather conditions, her progress, and oftentimes, her attitude. During status-quo periods, she read a good book or did school assignments, which she emailed back to her teacher.

The world — and the media — were certainly interested in her feat. As she entered back into Sydney Harbor, she had the company of six helicopters, a plane and a large catamaran named ‘Big Wave Rider’ which Watson had previously sailed on. The owner, Bruce Arms, was Watson’s project manager for her solo trip.

In addition, tens of thousands of fans were on the grounds of the Sydney Opera House to greet her as she stepped onto the pier, along with the Prime Minister and current record holders for being the youngest ever to sail around the world solo. Television networks TEN and One HD broadcast live as she crossed the finish line.

This was not only a great feat for Watson but also a great feat for all of Australia, which never really recovered from Steve Irwin, the crockodile hunter who died from a stingray’s piercing barb, and they have been empty and longing for a new hero (or heroine). In Jessica WatsonJessica Watson, they have found one.

Experience Jessica Watson’s homecoming for yourself on YouTube.