Jessica....

[SkiDeep2001]

is almost home. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/n ... ailor.html Rob

[puggsy]

She has made it home safe...even if she were to now sink just outside Sydney Heads, she has an escort for that last little bit...Well done Jessica...And there will ALWAYS be the knockers...just ignore them ...Australia has a bad reputation for " cutting down tall poppies"....it all goes back to our convict days...the convicts stayed to settle the land and the guards went home to blightey [ U.K.] never to be heard from again...

[Mistral]

'Pink Lady' is off Sydney on Marine Traffic

http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/defaul ... level0=100

You may have to find Sydney and zoom in.

Is it possible to be Impressed, Happy, Proud, and Insanely Jealous at the same time?
Lucky for us we had to be in Sydney for a conference. We will be there to see this amazing girl home.

[bjmeunier]

Awesome accomplishment..I'm glad the youngster didn't come to harm though...sometimes I think risk outweighs need. That being said, congratulations Jessica

[Catigale]

I couldnt find her on the Marine Traffic site - if someone can snap a screenshot please post/send to me..

[Rick Westlake]

Has she turned off her AIS, I mean? As of 1338Z, I didn't see a mark for Pink Lady in the Sydney area.

Despite controversy, nay-sayers (who have said she didn't sail far enough north in the Atlantic for a full circumnavigation) and the "cut down the tall poppies" attitude of the Australian and the world press, Jessica has accomplished something remarkable and she has earned the adulation she's getting in Australia and the world.

Couple of months ago, Blue Water Sailing had some to say about her achievement, and they brought up another familiar young woman sailor - Tania Aebi - for comparison. Ms. Aebi failed of a "solo circumnavigation," when she took a friend on one short leg of her trip and failed to return to that leg's starting point to do it again solo; but she still accomplished something remarkable, and earned her fame for it.

There will ALWAYS be nay-sayers! But Jessica's achievement stands proud of them. Those who couldn't do it themselves, but are quick and shrill to articulate their disapproval or sharpshoot the details, well, the Order of the Garter has a good phrase for them:

Honi soit qui mal y pense.
("Shamed be those who think ill of it.")

Me hat's off to this amazing young lady.

'Pink Lady' is off Sydney on Marine Traffic

http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/defaul ... level0=100

You may have to find Sydney and zoom in.

Is it possible to be Impressed, Happy, Proud, and Insanely Jealous at the same time?
Lucky for us we had to be in Sydney for a conference. We will be there to see this amazing girl home.

[seacatcapt]

Live coverage of Jessica's arrival:

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/glance/10528 ... -in-sydney

[technicalman]

Good Show Jessica. Best wishes to you and yours. Glad to see you home safe.

[John McDonough]

The Oceans are so Big, and her boat is so small. She did it, and returned home safe.

Next time someone says that the kids these days are Inferior to past generations, I will have to remind them of Jessica.

Good show Jessica.

[albion]

John if I could sail like her I would,nt be trying to sell my Mac26.Did you speak to that friend who wants one?

[SkiDeep2001]

Albion, unless you are in "Dire Straights" don't wind up like Poker Rick, wishing you still had a boat. I know times are tough but sometimes you just have to take the vehicle that is financed and hide it from the repossessers. I did that back in the early 70"s with my '74' Celica when Boeing was laying off and it all worked out just fine. Rob

[BrazDaz]

Sounds familiar.
If I had a dollar for every time someone told me to sell our Mac to solve our money troubles I wouldn't have any money troubles! We own the boat and seem to get through the hard times like we always have in the past before we had a boat to sell.

[Bransher]

After reading her Blog postings for 7 months, I have come to realize that she is not your typical teenager. She comes across as more mature and intelligent than most young girls who just hang out at the mall.

She accomplished what she set out to do, and nobody can take that away from her. Congratulations Jessica, you earned it.

[DaveB]

I don't know weather to hug her or scrown her for such a foolish Voyage at her age.
I sailed in my Alberg 35 1963 that I total rebuilt for around the World Cruise (I was 35 at time). I been thru 40 ft. seas 4 days and know how it feels.
Her strong point is she has all the Electronics, Satalite info,comunication truout the World and Boat ready to do it.
If she took off in 1982 like I did or Rob Ghram (The Dove). She would have to navigate thru Dead Reconing and Celetial Navigation and no GPS.Reliy on Ocean Passages of the World and Dutton's, or American Pratical Navigator, Volumes,229 or 249 reduction tables and a short wave receiver for Time tick and International news along with all the Charts of areas she Cruises.
Whole diffrent World and her task was much,much easier.
That doesn't mean I agree with her doing this trip at her age, but I to was at her age with same dream. I am sure she had backups and learned the basic of Celetial Navigation and had the means and equipment to do so.
Dave

After reading her Blog postings for 7 months, I have come to realize that she is not your typical teenager. She comes across as more mature and intelligent than most young girls who just hang out at the mall.

She accomplished what she set out to do, and nobody can take that away from her. Congratulations Jessica, you earned it.

[rwmiller56]

That doesn't mean I agree with her doing this trip at her age, but I to was at her age with same dream. I am sure she had backups and learned the basic of Celetial Navigation and had the means and equipment to do so.

I have followed her blog since day 1, and she did mention that she had the celestial navigation equipment with her, and was prepared to use it.

I for one congratulate her. She had the guts to realize her dream, and she took all the proper precautions in doing so. She is definitely not your typical teenager. Also, her writing style is excellent. Her book detailing the voyage is due out in August.