Wow! She has hundreds of people watching her progress from all over the world. Can,'t count the posts for just today!

Hundreds of comments - millions of lurkers. Most-watched blog in Oz.

I agree with Ken. There is no way this young woman has the experience or maturity to deal with what she may encounter. I think it's plain reckless for her parents to allow this. When she is 18 and is free to make her own decisions, then it is her decision. There's a reason they don't let kids in CA drive after a certain hour until they're 18. Experience. We know that's what counts when you're in deep doo-doo on the mountain--no different in the big blue sea. Craziness!!

I have been impressed with Jessica's Blogs and also the News
reports about her trip. She is immensely better qualified
to undertake this sailing than the Dutch girl Laura who admittedly is a couple of years younger, but definitely not as experienced.

CMC

Mentioned in the Sydney Morning Herald.

http://www.smh.com.au/world/jessica-watson-alone-but-not-lonely-20091214-kr1p.html

Class 6 climbing?. And she's into the 40s.

http://www.youngestround.blogspot.com/

Now HOW OLD is she? She writes like a professional author!

And climbing that mast and taking a picture... (what's that term for bravery? ...no, just doesn't go with a woman)

She recently turned 16 ! You won't catch me climbing
a 12 meter (almost 40') mast. Great picture of the deck
below from the top of the mast. Quite a gal !!

Just read that the Dutch girl, 14 yr old Laura, is missing
from her home. Her boat is still docked but there is
speculation that she might be headed for New Zealand as she
has dual citizenship. Last I heard the courts denied her
request to sail around the world with an updated decision
next summer to perhaps allow it.

Update: she was found in Dutch Caribbean Island St Maarten

St Maarten is a nice place to be lost/missing in.
=)

Here's the story:

http://www.smh.com.au/world/dutch-teen-solo-sailor-found-on-caribbean-island-20091221-l7pc.html

Jess says Merry Happy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0s8F6EHpGLE

Jessica was in heavy winds & didn't post for a few days. She's popped up again, 500 nm. from the Horn. Cabin heater is broken & she can't fix it.

Jessicas's parents are flying out to watch her round Cape Horn.

Jessica has rounded Cape Horn!
She also spotted land for the first time since Sydney.

She's weathered a monster storm & some knockdowns...

http://www.smh.com.au/national/jessica-watson-weathers-a-monster-storm-20100124-mrzf.html

All kinds of news here.

Jessica turned turtle and broke her dunny.

Abby Sunderland (Zack's little sister) has set sail.

Laura Dekker may get permission to try, after she gets first-aid training and some proof that she can actually handle a boat.

As some have commented, the ocean is the ultimate judge of a sailor's competency. Jessica has gotten a good verdict this week.

As this thread monolog started out about GPS, it's interesting to note that Jessica's EPBIRB was automatically activated while she was upside-down. She had the presence of mind to use her sat-phone to call home & cancel the alert.

Have to admire these girls adventerous sprits but would I let my 16 year old daughter attempt something this dangerous? No way in hell.Not only is the challenge physically hard and demanding,withstanding storms that knock your boat over and in Zacs case break your masts, but it is a scary world out there with pirates that will steal your boat and kill you.God bless you Jessica and Abby. I will pray for your safety.I will also pray that thses kids parents come to their senses about letting 16 year old girls sail around the world for a stupid record and place in Guiness.

Abby's had leccy problems, & will be restarting from Cabo.

Not generating enough juice for all the stuff.

Jessica is flying along, has fixed the dunny and is now less than 2000 nm. from COGH.

From having read through most all of Jessica's blog posts, I think she's doing it for more than just the record. I would venture to say that if you have the requisite skills, then being 16 doesn't increase or decrease the inherent dangers one way or the other. Even if you're our age, if pirates want to get you, they probably will. Ditto for knockdowns. From reading her many posts, I sense a maturity and healthy self-confidence well beyond her 16 years.