Two famous Capes are to become major milestones in the journeys of the two teenage girls sailing solo around the world. Both are in something of a race to be first to a hot shower.
Australian Jessica Watson,six months into her quest, is sailing for Tasmania's South East Cape, the southernmost point of Tasmania/Australia at latitude 43 south, before heading north to her home port of Sydney and what will be a record as the youngest to sail solo non-stop around the world. Jessica has been in rough weather for the past week, with more of what Jessica calls “rubbish weather” on the way. Monstrous 12 meter seas and wind gusts to 55 knots typical of the region have knocked her down, soaked her bunk, spilled a jar of liquid soap all over the cabin, and made sailing downright miserable. Jessica is sailing with a small storm jib, and trailing a drogue to prevent a fatal broach.
“Right now I've got more than a few bruises and sore muscles,” Jessica writes. “Overall I feel pretty drained and would kill for some easy sailing but seeing as that's not what I'm going to get I'm just going to have to toughen up some more and deal with it!
“It helps a lot knowing that Ella's Pink Lady (Jessica's 34' Sparkman & Stevens sloop) was built to take this.”
Jessica considered sailing a shorter route home through the notorious Bass Strait between Australia and Tasmania, but decided the long way around was the most prudent. Many ships much large than Jessica's sloop have disappeared without a trace in Bass Strait.
Meanwhile Abby Sunderland is nearing the Cape of Good Hope, after crossing the Southern Ocean, where she plans to put ashore to repair her failing autopilots. That stop will end her quest to be the youngest person to sail solo non-stop around the world, but she plans to continue around the world as the youngest person to accomplish that solo -- with stops.
“I was sorry to hear about Abby having to pull in to Cape Town for repairs,” Jessica writes. “But like Abby said, in one way it's great that we're now aiming for slightly different records, so that we don't have to be competing with each other. I'm also totally jealous that she's probably going to beat me to a hot shower!”
Abby has a hot shower in mind, too. “The thought of a hot shower is helping me with the thought of being on land, but while all of that will be nice, I haven't even gotten there yet and I am already looking forward to getting back out and finishing my trip,” Abby writes.
“ I am ending my non-stop and unassisted attempt. I will continue on to hopefully become the youngest solo circumnavigator. Jesse Watson will become the youngest solo, non-stop and unassisted circumnavigator. The way I see it is that we both win which is great because neither of us liked being in 'competition' with each other. Go Jesse!”
