Jessica Watson
We all said she shouldn't go. We all wished she would just stay home and play some sort of Wii sailing game. But when she was sideswiped by a wayward ship she became a celebrated underdog. A battler on the high seas, the likes of which have not been seen since, well, the last Australian to undertake a solo sailing journey around the world.
The really cool thing about Jessica is she is doing this for herself. She's one of those natural-born adventurers who think nothing of it, who find a solo sailing adventure as everyday as a bike ride. Which makes it easier to resent her success and ignore the fact she endured a 12 hour storm.
I don't think I've ever endured 12 hours of anything. Not even an earache.
Plus, she is seven weeks ahead of schedule. How's that for performance?
Hope the Australian Bight doesn't eat you up Jess, we all secretly wish we had your ambition but we are too busy conquering our virtual sports.
Have you heard about the other sailor who is one year younger and keen to snatch Jessica's title out of her hands before she can say, "Land, Ahoy!"?
Copycat.
Others might weigh in next with an even younger, faster, even more competitive sailor and before you know it we'll have the "Amazing Solo Sailing Race" populated largely by preschoolers.
But Jessica will always be our little Aussie who decided to do this to prove she was perfectly capable of sailing on her own. And that has got to be a feeling no one can take from you.
The really cool thing about Jessica is she is doing this for herself. She's one of those natural-born adventurers who think nothing of it, who find a solo sailing adventure as everyday as a bike ride. Which makes it easier to resent her success and ignore the fact she endured a 12 hour storm.
I don't think I've ever endured 12 hours of anything. Not even an earache.
Plus, she is seven weeks ahead of schedule. How's that for performance?
Hope the Australian Bight doesn't eat you up Jess, we all secretly wish we had your ambition but we are too busy conquering our virtual sports.
Have you heard about the other sailor who is one year younger and keen to snatch Jessica's title out of her hands before she can say, "Land, Ahoy!"?
Copycat.
Others might weigh in next with an even younger, faster, even more competitive sailor and before you know it we'll have the "Amazing Solo Sailing Race" populated largely by preschoolers.
But Jessica will always be our little Aussie who decided to do this to prove she was perfectly capable of sailing on her own. And that has got to be a feeling no one can take from you.
Two Hands Dancing
What the... Blog?
The Profit Frog
While I am BEYOND impressed with Jess's give-it-a-go attitude, her guts and determination, skills, fearlessness... etc etc... there is just ONE thing that REALLY peeves me above and beyond the bravado...
What would have happened had Jess capsized, been hijacked by pirates, or become desperately ill...?????
I have no doubts (in my highly cynical view) that Jess or her family would have demanded - BEGGED DESPERATELY - for emergency services to run to her rescue...
and my question is:
"At Who's Expense?"
I have no doubts that the government and emergency services would have been expected to shoulder the cost.
I'm all for every real endeavour in the spirit of adventure.
I applaud Jess very much for her guts and determination.
BUT I would have felt much more in favour of her bravado and intentions, had there been an clear message that in the case of any emergency of any kind, Jess's family had the costs covered...
Still, I'll be a fan of hers, because as a person with financial and physical limitations I cannot claim to have an adventurous bone in my body...