jessica da la vuelta...

La vuelta al mundo a vela con 16 años ...sola!


AUTRALIA | Tiene 16 años
Una niña australiana completa la vuelta al mundo navegando sola


Reuters | Sidney
Actualizado sábado 15/05/2010 08:53 horas

Una adolescente australiana ha sido recibida con una fervorosa bienvenida en la Bahía de Sídney, después de completar la vuelta al mundo navegando sola, lo que la hará entrar en los libros de historia.

Acompañada por una flotilla de botes de aficionados, Jessica Watson, de 16 años, navegó por la entrada a la bahía cerca de las 14.00 hora local (0400 GMT), dijeron testigos, al final de un controvertido viaje de siete meses.

Su hazaña la convierte en la persona más joven que navega completamente sola, sin detención ni asistencia, alrededor del mundo. La joven llegó a Australia tres días antes de que cumpla 17 años.

Sin embargo, no se espera que su viaje se calificado oficialmente como un récord por temas de la ruta y la edad. Sus partidarios también han sido duramente criticados, y algunos navegantes experimentados se opusieron al viaje.

El 'Pink Lady', el yate de Watson, la hizo circunvalar el sur de la Tierra, una distancia de unas 23.000 millas náuticas, recorriendo los extremos de Sudamérica y Africa antes de regresar a la costa sur de Australia, alrededor de la isla de Tasmania.

Su llegada se retrasó varias horas debido a lo agitado del mar y a problemas con una vela. Mientras ella se acercaba a Sídney, el portavoz Andrew Fraser dijo que ella deliberamente tomó precauciones adicionales en las últimas etapas. "Ella está bien", declaró.

Watson saludó a sus seguidores desde su yate rosa mientras entraba a la bahía. Más de 100 botes acudieron a recibirla. La multitud se reunió en torno al Opera House de Sídney, donde miembros de su familia debían recibir a la joven en una alfombra rosada cuando pisara tierra.

Entre los asistentes estaba Jesse Martin, otro australiano que completó una circunnavegación al mundo a la edad de 18 años en 1999, y quien se mantuvo en contacto con Watson durante su viaje.

Poco después de que iniciara su viaje el año pasado, el yate de Watson chocó con una nave mientras practicaba, lo que llevó al gobierno del estado de Queensland a pedir que se cancelara la travesía.

Sin embargo, la decisión de Watson de viajar pese a las críticas atrajo a algunos patrocinadores de alto perfil y la convirtió en una celebridad en su país. En su web http://www.jessicawatson.com.au/ y su blog que escribió desde el yate han atraido a gran cantidad de seguidores.

http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2010/05/15/nautica/1273906346.html

http://www.tracplus.com
http://www.jessicawatson.com.au/

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Ella’s Pink Lady

yacht01

The S&S (Sparkman and Stephens) 34, a classic design from the famous Sparkman & Stephens, it is known firstly for its seaworthiness, toughness and track record. It is a boat capable of consistent speeds and one that Jessica can easily handle.

The S&S 34 became famous after Jon Sanders, David Dicks and Jesse Martin used them for their history making solo circumnavigations.

There is now an S&S 34 association and hundreds of other S&S 34 have made and are making successful circumnavigations and offshore passages.

S&S 34’s are commonly entered in the notorious Sydney to Hobart and many participate in club racing all around Australia and the world.
SPECIFICATIONS

Length Overall: 10.23m
Waterline Length: 7.37m
Beam: 3.08m
Draft: 1.83m
The Route & The Rules

My goal is to sail solo around the world non-stop, unassisted. I have chosen a route that is a traditionally recognised path and distance for ‘around the world sailors’. As this is a Southern Hemisphere voyage the significant landmarks are the southern tips of the American and African continents, as well as some of the most challenging oceans a sailor will ever face. The entire journey is a mix of amazing experience and unique challenges.

There are a few key targets I must achieve to qualify for around the world status. The approximate distance is 23,000 nautical miles (about 38,000 kilometres). I must depart and arrive from the same port, cross all lines of longitude, cross the equator entering into the Northern Hemisphere at least once and round the southern landmarks of South America and South Africa.

I have described the journey in parts to give you an idea of my path over the coming months. You will be able to track me and Ella’s Pink Lady on this website and through my media partner ONE (Network Ten’s 24/7 sports channel).

Part 1 – Departing Sydney and North to the Line Island

The general track will be out of the Sydney Heads and towards northern New Zealand. Depending on the weather (direction and strength of the wind) I will choose a point where I turn left and head towards Fiji. At this stage it’s hard to tell if I will go to the left or right of the Fijian Islands.

Once past Fiji and Samoa my course is northeast to the Line Islands. The Equator lays just South of Christmas Island. I will round one of the islands in the Line Group that is north of the equator.

Part 2 – South to Chile and Cape Horn

With the Line Islands behind me it’s due south for a while. To make South America I need to head a long way down before I can turn east. This area is well known as the roaring forties. Despite not being there for long I will probably be south of the 50th parallel to make the passage between Argentina and Antarctica.

The Everest of ocean sailing is rounding Cape Horn. It’s a famous landmark that is the southernmost headland of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago of southern Chile. It divides the South Pacific with the South Atlantic and is a significant milestone in the voyage.

Part 3 – Cape to Cape

Once around the base of South America it’s due north for some calmer weather and a short rest. As the voyage is non-stop I won’t be pulling into port, so calmer seas and refuge behind land will feel like a holiday. The track will take me close to the Falkland Islands, most probably to the East.

Part 4 – The South Atlantic Ocean to the African continent

Rested and ready I move onto the next passage of unforgiving but rewarding ocean sailing. As the crow flies the southern points of South America and South Africa are about 3,500 nautical miles (6,400 klms) but my track is bound to be a lot more before I reach South Africa.

Part 5 – Rounding South Africa

The Cape of Good Hope is probably the most recognised landmark for southern Atlantic sailors. It’s not the southernmost point of Africa, but sailors that used to travel from the north used this Cape as the point where they could start heading more east. Cape Agulhas is the most southern landmark and divides the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Despite all these capes and geography I won’t be very close to land, in fact I may not even see it. It is however another milestone and getting me much closer to home.

Part 6 – Southern Ocean to Home

From South Africa it’s the vastness of the Southern Ocean. Despite the next continent being Australia there is a lot of sailing to be done. Over 4,000 nautical miles (direct track) of open and often unforgiving seas. Can’t wait. You can have good and bad days in the Southern Ocean, but every one will be memorable.

Entering Australian waters will be a great feeling. Thousands of miles at sea and almost home. Given Australia is the largest island in the world it will take some time to get from Western Australia to my home port of Sydney.

South East Cape is Tasmania’s most southern landmark. From here I head north to the mainland and on to Sydney Harbour. I know I will never be able to prepare myself for the feeling of returning home to family and friends. I am sure that part of my voyage will feel like the longest.

I can’t wait to experience everything the voyage has to offer. I hope you’ll follow the blogs and the tracker to keep up.

http://www.jessicawatson.com.au/pink-lady