Qld: Solo teen sailor Jessica faces second test
By Paul OsborneThu Oct 1 19:22:41 EST 2009
Thu Oct 1 09:22:41 UTC 2009
BRISBANE, Oct 1 AAP - Teenage sailor Jessica Watson is making her way to Sydney on a trial run before embarking on her bid to set a new world record by circling the globe.
The 16-year-old set sail from the Gold Coast, where her yacht Ella's Pink Lady had been undergoing repairs, in the early hours of Thursday on a sea trial before her quest to become the youngest person to sail solo around the world non-stop.
So far, the attempt has stirred a lot of public debate about whether she's prepared and experienced enough for such a demanding expedition - especially after her yacht was damaged in a collision with a 63,000-tonne cargo ship off North Stradbroke Island during her first sea trial to Sydney on September 9.
Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Gavin Holcombe said conditions would turn against the Sunshine Coast teenager as a strong southerly surge came up the NSW coast.
"Initially, she will face good conditions in that she will have a northerly wind behind her, and that will push her a fair way down the coast," Mr Holcombe said.
"But by the time she gets probably halfway down the NSW coast, she is going to start running into south-easterlies and fairly fresh south-easterlies too, so it won't be the best conditions overall."
Her mother Julie Watson told ABC Radio on Thursday that if her daughter ran into trouble again, the family would help foot the rescue bill.
"We have some insurances put in place to deal with any rescue or relocation that needs to occur," Ms Watson said.
"We will certainly make the offer to (reimburse taxpayers)."
She maintains her daughter has the experience and has done the necessary preparation for the voyage.
"A lot of people making statements about her to the media don't know what preparation she has done," she said.
"I have seen the level of commitment, the work she has put in, the preparation."
Gold Coast City Marina director Dean Leigh-Smith said Jessica was "very determined".
"She is well and truly capable and we wish her all of the best," he said.
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh, who this week urged the teenager to reconsider her plans, said she hoped it would be a safe trip.
"My concern has always been to ensure she has the information she needs to not only succeed, but to do it safely and to come back in one piece," Ms Bligh told reporters.
