Jessica Watson (born 18 May 1993 in the Gold Coast, Queensland) is an Australian sailor, resides in Buderim , Queensland ,currently the youngest individual to sail non-stop and unassisted around the world.
She departed from Sydney on 18 October 2009, heading eastbound over the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean. She returned to Sydney on 15 May 2010, three days before her 17th birthday.
The Los Angeles Times reported Watson's reason for her journey: "I wanted to challenge myself and achieve something to be proud of. And yes, I wanted to inspire people. I hated being judged by my appearance and other people's expectations of what a 'little girl' was capable of. It's no longer just my dream or voyage. Every milestone out here isn't just my achievement, but an achievement for everyone who has put so much time and effort into helping getting me here."
Jessica Watson, a sixteen year old sailor from Australia, safely arrived home after over 200 days sailing around the world, traveling more than 23,000 miles... ALONE!
Thousands greeted her as she navigated into the Man O War steps next to the Opera House, including the prime minister Kevin Rudd and premier of New South Wales, Kristina Keneally. Rudd named Watson "Australia's newest hero," but Watson claimed she is just an ordinary girl with a dream. "You just have to have a dream, believe in it and work hard, anything is possible," said Watson at her homecoming.
The talented teen will take about a week to regain her land legs, after encountering swells larger than forty stories high which knocked her boat onto its side more than six times. She even had to strap herself into her bunk and wear a helmet to prevent injury!
Critics abounded back in Australia, claiming that her journey was pointless and masochistic, and that her parents were foolish for allowing her to go. However, Watson claimed that her journey was anything but reckless. "This is years and years of planning and preparation. We haven't just jumped into this," said Watson.
Watson is now writing a book about her experience, expected to be called True Spirit: The Aussie Girl who Took on the World and published by Hachette Australia three months after completing her journey,is due out in July.
