Official Jessica Watson Blog
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Friday, December 25, 2009
Christmas wasn't just an exciting day for all the obvious reasons (presents and food!). But also because we passed into the Fearsome 50's and now have less than 2000nm to go till Cape Horn.
Also as many people pointed out, yes I did celebrate Christmas a day early for the time zone I'm currently in, but I figured that it would be far nicer to be celebrate with everyone back home rather than a day later and truly alone!Christmas must have been my foggiest day yet and I have to admit I spent the day being pretty lazy, just doing the bare minimum to keep us moving vaguely in the right direction and staying out of the cold. Phone calls, eating all my favourite foods and opening the presents (see pic below) that had been stashed on Ella's Pink Lady, kept me busy all day. Down to the smallest, silliest thing, I enjoyed and treasured every present far more than I ever would have back home and believe me there were some silly ones, including a blow up Kiwi and a pink doll which expands in water (known as a 'grow your own best friend'!). Other then that there was also the normal collection of warm socks, books and other odds and ends.
No watching the start of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race or Boxing Day sales for me today but I'm pretty thrilled as I was treated to a few hours sunshine and an albatross doing a few close circles of Ella's Pink Lady. The albatross really is an amazing bird. No matter how long I watch them for, I never seem to see them flap their wings. They make flying look so effortless and seem completely relaxed weaving in and out of the swell, thousands of miles from land.
Jesse
Pic: Opening Christmas presents on my bunk bed!
Recent Posts
- Only Six Weeks Until Our Exciting Campaign Starts!
- The Mini Fastnet, Turning 18 and World Food Programme Youth Ambassador
- Our Youth Should Have A Voice!
- Study, Ella’s Pink Lady and New Zealand
- Introducing The New Project!
- Bilbies, Bike Rides and Other Events
- Jessica the Bilby!
- Young Australian of the Year & Germany!
- Lion’s Club Fundraiser for the Flood Appeal this Sunday
- Happy New Year, Sailing & QLD Floods
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Comments
Adrienne & Caitlin ( 11) Catherall
BUDERIM QLD
Ian.
you seem to be going in leaps and bounds at the moment. Every time I mark your position the distances are huge. Great to see you making such positive inroads.
According to Wikipedia the traditional "Rounding the Horn" is understood to involve sailing from 50 deg south on the western side of South America (approx where you are now) to 5o deg south on it's eastern side, the two benchmark latitudes of a "Horn Run". It will be interesting to see if you go east of The Falklands or whether you decide to complete this run further west. Weather conditions will probably dictate the outcome I would imagine.
It would be foolish hearsay to suggest there will be no others ready to take on this formidable challenge...ie, 'youngest person solo..', 'youngest female solo..', 'fastest solo'..etc, for there are others either considering or preparing to
take on this quest as I write.
When I think about what you have achieved to date...I am in awe. You possess special qualities that have been evident throughout your journey and touched on by so many others..stamina, fortitude, determination, courage, bravery, focus, resolve, forethought, endurance, a will to succeed, a maturity far beyond your years and many many more...
Hence these traits have allowed you to set the bar high as you continue to push it even higher.
The question is...can you maintain this level of committment? A monumental undertaking to say the least. In essence, the above mentioned suggests you can! and you will!
You have the best support team, a family wholey committed to your cause, a proven yacht tested under extreme conditions and a family of caring supporters around the globe urging you on.
Most importantly you had a dream that has come to fruition. You are living that dream now and the light at the end of the tunnel is starting to grow albeit a very faint glow. I believe you are starting to see that finish line as you prepare to take on the biggest hurdle you are likely to encounter.
As mentioned by Grant Fjermedal in an earlier blog, when the going gets tough, be slow and deliberate. I believe you have thought hard about this part of the journey and are as prepared as you possibly can be. Let the seas and the weather be the most favourable for a speedy and safe trip around the Horn.
As always, be safe and secured Jesse.
Ben (Qld)
A comment made by Jonathon from Melbourne about the similarity between a (non-powered) gliding aircraft and the albatross caught my attention.
There is a close similarity. Both have what are termed high aspect ratio wings. In general terms that means long and narrow wings which are aerodynamically more efficient at creating more lift and less drag than shorter and fatter wings.
On a yacht this becomes important and of interest because it is desirable to have the most efficient sail plan that can be supported by the keel ballast. Old photos of yachts show boats which look very different from to-days designs. The new boats have much taller (ie longer wingspan) masts and shorter booms than their older counterparts, and consequently they go much faster.
Some of the Sydney-Hobart boats have also increased their stability by using a canting keel, a keel which can pivot from side to side to increase the effect (righting moment) of the boat to enable it to sail with more sail than would be the case without the canting keel.
You are right about the soaring capability of the albatross. I recall years ago having some lessons flying a glider at Benalla and discovering that the glider had to be almost forced downwards to land because it was capable of flying with its wheel about a foot off the ground almost forever as though it were flying on a pocket of air below its wings.
Presumably the albatross can do something similar, gaining speed and momentum as it flys down a wave which then enables it to cruise over the crest of the next without using energy flapping to maintain speed and height above the waves.
The type of albatross Jessica saw and will no doubt see more of probably had a wingspan, from wing-tip to wing-tip of about 2.4 metres or 8 feet. They are magnificently big birds. It really is a pity she didn’t take a bird book!
Jessica, I hope you see more albatrosses as you continue south. enjoy their company when they visit.
Tony L (Mt Martha VIC)
Wooderson and O'Brien families, Sydey
Love reading your blog and tracking your progress, what a fantastic job you're doing!!!!!
Glad you enjoyed your christmas and remember.....you are not alone out there, so many people are behind you, ordinary people like me, wishing you well and watching you all the way.
Stay safe...until next time
Tracey
I along with everyone else have become hooked on following every step of your journey. You are an insipiration to my two daughters and to all young people.
You will come back and have more life experience than alot of people twice your age.
God Speed.
Franks Family
You are an inspiration, even to old salts (former sailors). I can't help but wonder what will you do for your next achievment.
You rock Jess.
Will keep a look out for the movie...Follow your Dream Jess, I know everyone else is following your passion as it were there own.
Safe passage, God Bless.
Ron WA-USA
Your letters brighten up an old man's day like you would not believe.
Your blog should be compulsory reading for Aussies in your age group and perhaps some slightly older ones as well.
your efforts make us so proud and we wish you a safe journey all the way back to Sydney
Bob C
We just got back to the Sunshine Coast from Christmas holidays with relatives at Iluka NSW. Its great to be back home and hear how wonderful your doing. Loving hearing everything your up too. Love your video.
Thinking of you -
MERRY CHRISTMAS and GUESS WHAT - YOUR GOING TO HAVE AN ABSOLUTELY AWESOME 2010 because.....
- JESSICA WATSON will be The Youngest Person to Sail Around the World !!!!!
From, The Sunshine Coaster Family A,C,J,B,& G (Nambour)
We have been following your progress from day one and know that you will succeed in your endeavour.
You are privileged to have the sea wind in your hair and have seen an albatross (the mariners friend).
Good sailing ahead!
Love Pauline and her Dad (Don).
Gol Gol NSW. Australia.
Thanks for your Christmas message and more recent update. Bet you are looking forward to some big swells soon. You will handle them with your usual professional manner and skills, I reckon.
I will look forward to your updates as you sail towards the Horn. Best wishes,
Mike (from Canberra)
Scott, Denver, Colorado, USA
"At length did cross an Albatross,
Through the fog it came ;
As if it had been a Christian soul,
We hailed it in God's name.
It ate the food it ne'er had eat,
And round and round it flew.
The ice did split with a thunder-fit ;
The helmsman steered us through "
And lo ! the Albatross proveth a bird of good omen, and followeth the ship as it returned northward through fog and floating ice.
"And a good south wind sprung up behind ;
The Albatross did follow,
And every day, for food or play,
Came to the mariner's hollo !
In mist or cloud, on mast or shroud,
It perched for vespers nine ;
Whiles all the night, through fog-smoke white,
Glimmered the white Moon-shine."
Wishing you good breezes and clearing skies. May you continue to LOVE the ride of the ocean and may you continue to be safe and sound.
All blessings to you and around you,
Mary, Maine, USA
With my kids (girls, 9 and 12) I went through the last pics and comments you posted. My older one has now re-named your lovely Pink Lady. To her it is "The Feast Boat" loaded with goodies of all sorts. She said she would like to come and visit you - but not too long as it would be too far away (from home).
Happy travels and Happy New Year (in a few days). You'll get there before us here in NZ.
We've been having the most lovely sunny days, hope the rays I sent across the oceans reached you.
May the winds be with you! Angie
from Thailand
here is someone from Northern-Germany. I read in a newspaper about your great journey. Fantastic! When we are sitting in our warm homes, you`re out there on the ocean with your sailing-boat, straight to Cape Horn, through across the 50`- Respect! I wish you further on a very good and occurrence trip with your Ella`s Pink Lady! All the best and lovely greetings from Reiner in Northern-Germany
reinerstoe@web.de
Merry Christmas babe!! you are in my thoughts a lot :)
stay safe and warm xo
Before I forget to tell you.... there have been over 28,000 hits on your christmas video on UTube - how cool is that!!!
Well sounds like you had a good christmas with all the trimmings, LOVE the description of your pressies "grow your own friends", Im wondering if I can adapt that principle to "grow your own staff!", sure would save on salaries.....
Your description as usual took me on a journey - watching the albatros soaring around you, glad you had an 'easy' christmas day and a chance to blodge out and relax.
Sydney to Hobart is well underway (I havent seen the news tonight to see who is in front at this present time), they have good conditions last I heard - a moderate southerly to help them along. Hot and muggy up here in the tropics awaiting an evening thunderstorm which will cool the air for a while.
Fair winds to keep your sails full and sunshine to cheer you!
and as always "clipped on"
Carole (Mackay) QLD
Alan and Lena, Gold Coast