When 16 year-old Jessica Watson begins her second attempt at becoming the youngest person to circumnavigate the globe solo, non stop and unassisted later this week, she will do so against a squall of opposition.
There is no greater sporting challenge on the planet than a successful solo circumnavigation.
Freak waves, collisions with oil tankers and cargo ships, striking whales and icebergs in the Southern Ocean, piracy, boat breakdowns, snapped masts in horrific conditions, failed radio communications thousands of miles from land and just plain sheer fatigue and loneliness can and regularly do plague all sailors.
Those challenges exist regardless of age and experience.
More people have stood atop Mount Everest, and indeed, more have made it into space than those who have successfully completed a solo circumnavigation.
The fatality rate of such a sailing attempt is also greater than either of the above pursuits. More people have died attempting a solo circumnavigation than in any other sporting challenge.
Many in society struggle to be philosophical about danger and death, particularly when such risks are being taken by a youngster. But a life lived behind an office desk before a contented retirement, then dropping off the perch after 80 years of life is not a given.
Nor is it a life fit for everybody, and we should applaud and support anyone, regardless of age, who fights against the expected norm to chase their dream, for they provide the rest of us with a rare glimpse of what was once fundamental to the human condition – a lust and curiosity for adventure.
Today’s kids have mobile phones by age 9, their own computers handed out free by the federal government at age 12, video games by the hundreds and manufactured pop songs by the thousands on ipods that were not even conceived let alone invented when those children were born little more than a decade ago.
Many parents are happy to sit their kids in front of parading women and rapping gangsters on Video Hits every Saturday morning yet are the first to pile into a 16 year old girl chasing her dream.
There is a legitimate argument to be made for the abolition of age records in the sailing world, for in some cases they may push a young person to attempt a record claiming voyage before they are genuinely ready.
Completing the voyage is an enormous achievement in itself and Jessica may or may not have the experience, maturity, or physical strength to complete the trip.
Rewarding age records that could encourage damaging parental pressure on a child should be avoided at all costs. In Jessica’s case, however, this is her dream.
Watson’s safety is said to be the primary concern of those who oppose her plans, although it is hard to fathom that those who sit in judgement could possibly believe their concerns outweigh those of Jessica’s proud parents.
She has every conceivable safety measure covered – the rest is down to thorough planning, competent sailing and pure good fortune.
The entire point of such a challenge is that it is dangerous and difficult. Otherwise, why bother?
Teddy Roosevelt’s infamous ‘Man In The Arena’ speech should surely be the motto of every sporting journalist in the nation, yet the majority appear to condemn Watson.
Sport, at its best, is about triumph over trial and tribulation.
Who would run marathons if they were easy? Climb mountains, trek to both poles, cycle for three weeks through the Alps and the Pyrennes, or swim, ride and run for more than eight hours as Craig Alexander did this week to push himself beyond exhaustion to win his second Hawaiian triathalon?
These pursuits are not meant to be easy. It takes a special sort of person, young or old.
Jessica sets sail within days. She may not succeed, but she cannot possibly fail.
bob Stratford
Guest
I think this young girl hase a lot of guts to have a go, but also you don't hear about the here team following here in a titanic or some lavish cruiser with planty of help and experance on board that can jump on to the yatch to give Jessica a hand, but any how its a mad world out there, and I wouldn't be suprised if her father hase the navey a few meters from here keel, best of luck.
Parafluie
Guest
She may be a marvelous, skilled, dedicated sailor. AND she is a teenager. Studies have shown brains of teenagers are not fully developed to make judgment-calls yet. Her brain is still developing. A teenager simply does not have the life experience or the brain development to do a tedious, extreme, long-term complex sail like this. As another sailor, I feel she and her parents are all making bad judgments. So, considering her genetic background plus her youth, I think this is an all-around bad call. Having said that, and as I wasn't consulted in this decision, I wish her the best of luck, and fair winds and hope all is well with her.
Brad
Guest
Silly girl. Why wouldn't you start by sailing to Tasmania and back, then try around NZ. At least then she'll have worked out if she's up for it. Has she done this? Does anyone know? Let's hope she stays clear of the cargo ships, if not the only support she'll need will be air and sea rescue support.
mushi
Roar Guru
Sorry but you seem to be flip flopping like a pair of ill fitting thongs If it would be an achievement then why do you say “if it was achievement”? I’m perplexed? If no one is lampooning her then why the vitriol directed her way amongst the comments. Even you yourself approach it in a very negative way suggesting that she’s solely interested in the glory. You are now concerned for the safety of her and others yet mere minutes earlier it was “she wants GLORY, that’s my problem”.
Redb
Roar Guru
its more than chasing a dream, it's the answer to the question in their heads.
JK
Guest
Mushi, Isn’t a record an achievement? You’re life must be one so rich with accolades that mere world records don’t even register on the radar any more. Age based world record – how hum drum wake me up for the Nobel’s. She has'nt got the record yet and no one is lampooning her, critical yes. My point is the risk worth it? When was the last time a swimmer needed a frigate and a couple of choppers to resuce them? I don't support a sixteen year old without sufficient experience undertaking an extremely dangerous trip where, should she find herself in trouble will require others to risk themselves to save her and I have to examine myself and my own fear of failures....gimme a break!
Ken
Roar Rookie
Pippinu, there is no "record" on offer here. (See my comments above.) The door has been well & truly closed on age records in sailing.
captain nemo
Roar Guru
chasing a dream is fine, however, this is something quite different. there is no way in the world I would let my daughter attempt this sort of "adventure" at the age of 16. This is madness!! Just like that bloke who went missing attempting to canoe from Australia to NZ. I really hope the best for this young girl and hope she makes it out alive but I cannot even imagine how she could even barely contemplate the task she is attempting. On her first attempt, she was criticised for not having a fatigue or sleep management plan in place because the family hadn't thought about it. I hope I am wrong but this will be only the tip of the ice burg. Could anyone on here really say they would of been up for this type of task as a 16 year old. I also fear isolation for a 16 year old girl. At 16, a girl should be a pain in the ass with attitude telling her parents that they are dorky and don't understand anything, while hogging the bathroom and telephone and driving their brothers crazy. Hopefully no harm will come to her.
Pippinu
Roar Guru
Of course records are achievements - but it has to be said that this is one where necessarily people will have to get younger and younger to break - so there must come a point where we woudl have to say -sorry - but you really are too young to try that. We may not do it for a 16yo - but we might do it for a 15yo, or 14yo, etc etc. One wonders when that point comes (I'm not sure of the legalities either).
mushi
Roar Guru
Isn’t a record an achievement? You’re life must be one so rich with accolades that mere world records don’t even register on the radar any more. Age based world record – how hum drum wake me up for the Nobel’s. Sure it isn’t a record of epic proportions but I dare say that if I’d done it I would be immensely proud of myself. And Id are say if any of you guys had the courage or ability you’d be shouting from the roof tops. Also should we let it be known now every Australian that has gone after a record in their life should be struck down for the sin of their own vanity! After all how dare they make us aware of our pitiful little lives devoid of meaning. How often have we seen swimmer look at the clock in dismay or jubilation simply because they’ve just missed or better the record they were targeting. Seems entirely hypocritical, though entirely in our national character, that we cheer them on yet lampoon this young girl for the same crime. You talk of the spirit and guts but then lambast the outcome of those attributes.
Redb
Roar Guru
"I think the animosity stems from the general population having so little that is exceptional about themselves that they choose to lampoon her in our tried and true tall poppy syndrome." Exactly right. There aren't enough people willing to chase their dreams through fear of failure themselves. Redb
JK
Guest
She's not chasing a dream as such, she's chasing a record. I would be just as impressed if she did it at 19/20/21 or 50yrs. It's a tremondous effort, no doubt, but she wants a record ,if it was achievment or self satisfaction or even adventure would that diminish in 3/4/5 yrs time, not for me, as I said I would still be impressed. She's chasing glory not adventure, which is fine, her parents want the next Serena or Tiger so it's gotta be down right now, other wise she would just be medicore, no achievement doing it at 19yrs it's been done! Is there any evidence that she is gifted ot talented? her first attempt set that straight, so no. She has spirit and a lot of gut's, but that's not enough she wants GLORY, that's my problem. And she's no tall poppy yet, that comes later (hopefully, because I am genuinely concerned for safety), then we chop her down.
mushi
Roar Guru
Out of all the ways a 16 year old could get her 15 minutes of fame this would hardly rank amongst the easiest. Personally, though I think she is misguided, good on her for chasing a dream. Too often we settle for doing the mediocre because of its safety and simplicity. So what if she’s excited and proud if you can’t understand that then you either have forgotten your adolescence or were devoid of emotion and a generation or two too early to join your emo kid brethren. Sure she’s getting ahead of herself and she isn’t being vanilla and humble about the attempt but that doesn’t really separate her from most other people I’ve met in my life who naturally get excited and focus on the outcomes of big events. I think the animosity stems from the general population having so little that is exceptional about themselves that they choose to lampoon her in our tried and true tall poppy syndrome.
Redb
Roar Guru
If you have Foxtel, check out 'Solo', its currently in the on demand section. Very interesting insight into the thought processes of an adventurer.
Ken
Roar Rookie
Didn't really warrant anything else.
Redb
Roar Guru
what a dull reply.
Ken
Guest
And then there are those who simply crave attention - at any cost.
Redb
Roar Guru
Saw a doco called 'Solo' over the weekend on Andrew McAuley, if you havent seen it do yourself a favour. Trying to understand why sane people attempt extraordinary things is at the heart of someone like young Jessica. Re Andrew McAuley - his story is one of the rawest, honest and most inspirational stories I've ever seen. It ends in terrible tragedy but trying to understand the conflict between the yearning for adventure and achievement versus the love for family and safety will never be fully answered. It's the adventurers equivalent of the Fight v Flight reflex with a tortured twist. http://www.andrewmcauley.com/ Redb
JK
Guest
Is there insurance that those that will perform her rescue will be not be placed in danger themselves?
Junior
Guest
i'm all for people taking on herculean tasks. good on her. however, i'd like to make two comments: (i) regardless of how talented she is, she couldn't make it to stradbroke island on her trial run to sydney after being downstairs when she ran into a 64,000 tonne bulk carrier. (ii) i understand she delayed her tilt at the record due to strong winds in sydney. fortunately today was a lovely day for sailing and she's off and away. i suspect conditions may get a little trickier on her voyage. good luck ms watson.