Sailor Jessica rounds Cape Horn
February 8, 2010 – 4:02 pmTEEN sailor Jessica Watson has navigated a safe passage through a graveyard of wrecks and lost sailors to conquer the Everest of sailing: Cape Horn.
The Sunshine Coast 16-year-old plotted her way overnight through some of the most treacherous waters in the world off the tip of South America on day 88 of her round-the- world solo adventure.
Renowned for huge waves, deadly currents, icebergs and shipwrecks, the Southern Ocean became Jessica’s personal field of dreams overnight as she sailed her way around the Cape in her 10m yacht.
“I’m pretty thrilled because there is terrible visibility. I’m happy just to be seeing something,” she told The Courier-Mail.
“It’s a grey mist and a bit of nothingness . . . not the best sightseeing weather. There is a faint outline of the Cape so it’s almost mythical.”
It was a moment Jessica has dreamed of since beginning her epic race to become the youngest person to sail unassisted around the world on October 18.
And more excitement was on the horizon for Jessica, who knew her parents, Julie and Roger, were close by in Punta Arenas, Chile, organising a fly-over.
“It’s really amazing because this is after years of dreaming. After such a huge build up it’s really, really special. I feel I have turned the corner. It’s really amazing,” she said.
“It is almost halfway. I think after a bit more sleep I will be pretty excited.
“I think I am mostly running on adrenalin. When that wears off I think I’ll be pretty exhausted. I’ve had a busy couple of days.”
The Chilean and Argentinean Navy were also planning to have ships in the vicinity to acknowledge the youngster’s extraordinary achievement.
“It’s really weird. I haven’t seen anyone for months and all of a sudden I have two navy ships heading my way and a plane with mum and dad. It’s super exciting,” Jessica said.
“It’s been over a month since I’ve seen another boat and almost three months since I’ve seen another person, so I feel totally thrilled and spoiled to have so many guests all at once.
“I was extra careful brushing my hair this morning, which is of course completely pointless in this wind.”
Jessica said the fact she would see her parents was “pretty special”.
“It’s great knowing they are so close. I haven’t actually seen a person since I left three months ago. Not a boat or plane. I can’t wait.”
Jessica is now only around 10 days from the halfway point of her odyssey when she nears South Georgia Island, northeast of Cape Horn and south of the Falkland Islands. At this point she will have travelled more than 10,000 nautical miles in Ella’s Pink Lady on a trip she hopes will finish in May.
After three months hearing only her daughter’s voice on a satellite phone but not being able to see her, mum Julie Watson has her fingers crossed that today she will be able to wave at her daughter from a plane.
Julie and husband Roger flew from their home in Queensland to Chile so they could be as close as possible to their daughter when she achieved the amazing milestone of rounding Cape Horn.
“I’m so excited, I just can’t wait to see her,” Mrs Watson said. “It will just be great to be able to look at her. I just want to see her. Have a wave.”
Watson said she expected it would be an emotional moment for her, husband Roger and Jessica when they fly over the yacht sometime today, weather permitting.
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SOURCE:
“Jessica Watson conquers Cape Horn in solo voyage”
Amanda Lulham
January 14, 2010
The Courier Mail
http://www.news.com.au
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,1,26586106-952,00.html
