Jessica Watson - victory closer as the pink lines converge
by Nancy Knudsen on 9 Apr 2010
Jessica’s route - when the pink lines start to converge SW
While round-the-world teen solo sailor Jessica Watson has been having a few down days and rough weather, the thought of passing under south west tip of Australia will doubtless be enough to sustain her for the 'home run' back to Sydney.
As the pink lines showing the beginning and end of her journey draw closer and closer to each other, the sailing world of Australia - and many who are not sailors - are already beginning to cheer.
Jessica set out on 18th October last year, and apart from a few ships and Cape Horn, she has seen nothing but the ocean and its wildlife for the last six months - that's a long time for a teenager to lack company. Unlike her predecessor Jesse Martin, who sailed round the world when communications had not reached today's levels, daily conversations with her parents have sustained her, not to mention communication with her technical team and her weather routers. In addition she is receiving support from thousands of fans who are now following her journey.
She is now about 700 nautical miles from Cape Leeuwin - about 5-7 days for the S&S 34, give or take, and the gutsy sixteen-year-old has been putting a brave face on her home sickness and loneliness, merely saying 'I joke about wanting to do a second lap and wanting to do it all again, but to be honest I think I am ready to come home now... enough is enough.'
She's getting about 300 comments or more from every blog that she writes, which largely revolve around the domestic details of her trip - her broken kettle and how much chocolate she has to eat, and stay away from her storm experiences, as systems pass over.
When she reaches level with Cape Leeuwin she will have sailed almost 20,000 miles, and have 'only' 2,500 miles to go. This means she is still on course for Ella's Pink Lady, the sturdy small boat that has carried so many adventurers to successful conclusions, to arrive back in Sydney before her 17th birthday, on the 18th May.
While 2,500 miles is still a long way to go in anyone's language, and there will still be many a storm and hairy moment between now and her finish line, she is getting close to where, unlike in the vast stretches of the Southern Ocean, she's now within rescuing range.
After a shaky start, a collision with a cargo ship, her victory on that day will be all the sweeter.
...And if you're not lucky enough to be on the edges of Sydney Harbour that day, Sail-World Cruising will be bringing it all to your inbox.
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