jessica watson travel route

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes

The true story of True Spirit : What really happened on Jessica Watson's solo sail around the world

EW breaks down fact vs. fiction in Netflix's inspiring movie based on the incredible true story of the 16-year-old who attempted to become the youngest person to sail alone around the world.

Sydney Bucksbaum is a writer at Entertainment Weekly covering all things pop culture – but TV is her one true love. She currently lives in Los Angeles but grew up in Chicago so please don't make fun of her accent when it slips out.

Warning: This article contains spoilers about True Spirit, now streaming on Netflix.

True Spirit , Netflix's latest book-to-movie adaptation, is an inspiring tale about Jessica Watson, a teen who endeavors to become the youngest person to sail alone, nonstop, and unassisted around the world. Starring Titan 's Teagan Croft and based on the book of the same name, the film follows her harrowing journey as she attempts to sail 23,000 nautical miles around the globe in 8 months — something no other 16-year-old had ever accomplished before. But what makes it even more amazing is that it actually happened in real life.

Below, EW breaks down the biggest moments from the film and the true story behind them.

Is Jessica Watson a real person?

Yes! Watson exists, and she wrote the book about her own experience circumnavigating the globe upon which the movie is based. "There's so many layers of emotion in it for me," Watson tells EW of watching the film for the first time. "It's amazing, and Teagan's performance is extraordinary. It's me, but it's also something else, which I just love."

After playing half-demon empath Raven on the DC Comics series Titans for years, Croft was excited to finally take on a role closer to home. "Playing Raven on Titans , it's purple hair, very sullen," she says. "And the [ True Spirit ] producers needed to double-check that I wasn't like that in real life, that I'd be able to play Jess. I cracked a couple jokes, made a couple remarks, and they saw I'd be able to pull off perky. It's much more in my wheelhouse. And being able to act in my own accent was something I hadn't had the opportunity to do before. It was nice to have that burden lifted."

Watson and Croft met in person for the first time over dinner before the movie began filming, and they had a conversation with director Sarah Spillane about how the onscreen version of Watson wouldn't just be an imitation. "Then we also went sailing the next day altogether, and we met a few times up after that," Croft says. "It was so weird and awkward at first. I felt a weird guilt, like, 'Hello, I'm playing you.' But she was so lovely about it, and we get on really well now."

Did she really attempt to become the youngest person to sail solo around the world?

She sure did — Watson, now 29, departed from Sydney, Australia,, on Oct. 18, 2009, and returned on May 15, 2010, just before her 17th birthday.

Did she succeed?

Well, it's complicated and depends on who you ask. Watson sailed an estimated 18,582 nautical miles, crossing through the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian oceans, all on her own and without stopping. But ultimately, the World Sailing Speed Record Council (WSSRC) ruled that Watson was ineligible for the record, having traveled just short of the minimum 21,600 nautical miles necessary to claim circumnavigation of the globe. In response to the decision and criticism, Watson wrote on her blog at the time, "If I haven't been sailing around the world, then it beats me what I've been doing out here all this time!"

The movie notably doesn't mention the controversy about whether or not she earned the title of the youngest person to sail solo, nonstop, and unassisted around the world. Once she returns to Sydney Harbour amid a massive celebration, the credits roll immediately. "The movie and what Jess is all about is not about the record," Croft says. "That's not what drove her. That's not what she was sailing for. She was sailing for the love of it. The point of the movie is about this girl who had a goal that was crazy and dangerous, and what she did was incredible."

"The thing is, it's a bit of an invented controversy because there actually is no record," Watson tells EW. "There's no 'youngest' record because the body that does official sailing records doesn't recognize youngest records, which is understandable. So I don't really understand how there can be controversy over a record that doesn't exist. The voyage and the way I sailed around the world was very similar to what other people did, but there's actually no official rules, so it's a bit hard to not comply with rules that don't quite exist."

All these years later, Watson isn't concerned about any official records or titles. "It really doesn't worry me because it was about the adventure," she adds. "But also, gosh, people really feel the need to add some drama or find a way to almost diminish it slightly. And I'm like, 'Cool, you guys do that. I'm cool with that.' Maybe I think about it too simplistically, but I'm just like, 'Why are we arguing about the number of nautical miles for a record that doesn't exist?' There is no set nautical miles. You can't argue over a rule that doesn't exist."

Did all the characters in the movie exist?

All except for two — and those two were still based on real people. In the film, Avatar : The Way of the Water 's Cliff Curtis plays her sailing coach Ben, but Watson reveals he was just a "beautiful representation of a few people who otherwise wouldn't have been able to be portrayed," from the crew who helped her repair her boat to the group of people advising her over the phone about the weather during her voyage and more.

Her parents were pretty much exactly as they appear in the movie, played by Anna Paquin and Josh Lawson . "Mum was the one who firstly read me Jesse Martin's book from the get-go, which was what inspired me to do this," Watson says. "She had the same curiosity and inspiration for the voyage as me, whereas dad really didn't believe it was going to happen for much longer. And then, obviously, he was quite reluctant, as you see. That is probably pretty accurate in terms of mom and dad's dynamic."

Croft struggled the most filming the scenes where Jessica talks to her family over the phone during her journey. "At that point, the other actors were gone, and it was just me, so sometimes that was really difficult to get into the scene," she says. "But what was lucky in a twisted way was that COVID was really big in Australia at that time, and so the borders between my home state and the state we were filming in had closed. I'd just come from filming Titans , I hadn't seen my sisters or my dad for seven months by the end of shooting True Spirit , so I was able to pull a real, genuine emotion from my real life from the real phone calls I was having."

Watson adds that the reporter, played by Todd Lasance, was fictional but represents all of the members of the media who were aggressively and publicly criticizing her plans. "There were some that were pretty damn similar to him," she adds with a laugh. "I was protected slightly from some of the intensity of it at the time because I was just so single-mindedly focused on this thing, which you need to be to do something like that. It was my team and my poor family who caught the worst of that, but it was intense."

She continues, "I can really understand where people were coming from, and it's kind of beautiful that there was so much concern. But at the same time, I don't think people really understood that there had been years and years of preparation. And this is a really safe boat, it's done this a number of times. It's not as crazy as it seems if you've got no idea about that world."

Did her pre-voyage trial run really end in a massive collision?

Unfortunately, yes. Watson forgot to turn on the proximity alarms before taking a quick nap, and a few minutes later, her boat (named Ella's Pink Lady), crashed into a cargo ship. "That collision scene's one of the ones that's really accurate, so that one's pretty intense for me," Watson says. "That was something I still have the occasional nightmare about, but it's so important to the story. It really made me in a way because having to go through that and find the strength to continue really set me up for being able to deal with the storms at sea."

Did she really leave her hairbrush at home?

In a moment of levity in the movie, Jessica realizes she forgot to pack a hairbrush for her long journey and tapes two forks together to detangle her hair for months. That did happen ... but not on her long trip around the world. "That happened on a sea trial," Watson admits. "So not quite the whole voyage. And actually, I got the idea from Jesse Martin who did forget his hairbrush for his trip and used a fork."

Did she battle dyslexia during her journey?

Watson is dyslexic in real life, and she loves how the movie accurately portrays the struggles she faced whenever she got stressed and messed up her longitude and latitude coordinates. "So many people can relate to this, and it's not far off from my reality," Watson says, before admitting with a laugh, "I mean, I like to think that I was never that bad with my lats and longs and getting muddled up. But at the same time, it's also based on the truth that mum did used to call me out when I'm tired or flustered, and I was getting stuff like that wrong."

Did she get knocked out during a storm?

In the first big storm she faces at sea, Jessica is hit in the head with a frying pan and gets knocked out. But it turns out that entire scene was made up for the movie. "I feel bad calling out some of the things that weren't quite true, but no, no frying pan," Watson says. "Although there was legitimate danger with stuff flying around inside the boat in a storm — household everyday objects become deadly. Keeping your cabin tidy is something I should have been better at."

Did her boat get stuck for a week without any wind?

In the movie, Jessica hits an emotional low point when there's no breeze for an entire week. She gets frustrated and ends up arguing with Ben over the radio. That was all fictionalized for the film but was based on real emotions Watson felt throughout her trip. "In reality, you never get such long stretches without wind," she says. "Often, it's more like a couple of days. And even within that, you might get a few puffs along the way. It is, however, very true to what that experience is like for a sailor, how incredibly frustrating it is to just be at the mercy of the elements and just waiting for the wind to come back. There's nothing you can do. Emotionally, they were some of the really tough days out there."

Did a massive storm temporarily sink her boat?

Onscreen, Jessica's journey ends with her biggest test yet, as multiple major storms merged into one. The giant waves flip her boat upside down, and she gets stuck 15 ft. underwater for an extended period of time. It's a terrifying scene, and it turns out, the movie version isn't even the full story.

"There were seven knockdowns," Watson reveals. "Not all of them were quite that bad. A lot of the time, it's just the boat being knocked over. But the 15 ft. underwater is real because my emergency beacon did self-activate as the boat sank. That happened. But the time I was upside down for, it certainly felt like a long time. I haven't really got a concept of how long it was in reality, but we are talking seconds compared to what we see in the movie, which stretches on forever in minutes and minutes and minutes. That's a little bit of an exaggeration there, but it was real to the experience of it feeling like forever."

Was her return to Sydney as epic as it appeared?

Absolutely! When Jessica arrives in Sydney Harbour at the end of her journey, it looks like all of Australia came to celebrate her accomplishment. And as the credits roll, real footage from that moment plays, showing the real Watson reuniting with her family. Incredibly, a young Croft was there in attendance that day.

"I was actually there in Sydney Harbour when she came in, but I'd forgotten since I was only six," Croft says. "When I came across this script, my parents were like, 'We were there!' I've been trying to figure out where we were in the crowd to see if you can see me in that footage. Maybe I'm there in a little pink skirt or something ridiculous."

Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free daily newsletter to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.

Related content:

• Real story of teen who sailed around the world by herself comes to life in True Spirit trailer
• The 23 best book to movie adaptations of all time
• 50 books we're dying to see get adapted

Related Articles

The Real Story Behind Jessica Watson's Sailing Journey in Netflix’ 'True Spirit'

How true is Netflix' retelling of how Jessica Watson sailed her way into following her dreams?

Editor's Note: The following contains True Spirit spoilers.

True Spirit , out on Netflix now, tells the fascinating true story of Jessica Watson , an Australian sailor who circumnavigated the globe in 210 days back in 2009 – but how factual really is this retelling?

Circumnavigating the globe is impressive as it is, but in Jessica's case, she was also a 16-year-old girl. In a year when most 16-year-olds were planking and doing the stanky leg, Jessica was sailing around the world solo. Earlier this month, Netflix premiered True Spirit, starring Titans ' Teagan Croft as Jessica Watson. The movie also features Cliff Curtis, Anna Paquin, and Josh Lawson. True Spirit gives its viewers an honest and inspiring look at a remarkable story of determination and grit while also being littered with hits from the time, like Empire of the Sun 's "Walking on a Dream," or "Geronimo" by Sheppard in a way that captures the essence of the early 2000s perfectly.

True Spirit tells the encouraging tale of a young woman, her mentor (Curtis), and her family (Paquin and Lawson portray Watson's parents, Roger and Julie, respectively). Beyond being a tale of hard work and courage, True Spirit illustrates the complicated process a parent must go through in letting a child gain independence and come into their own. Although it's a more arduous journey than most take, at its core, True Spirit is a story of what we can accomplish with the proper avenues of support, no matter how young. To this day, Jessica Watson is still one of the youngest people to circumnavigate the world and the youngest to sail the world unassisted, without stopping. Interestingly, according to the Australian Museum , Julie Watson saw Jessica as the least likely of her children to have become a sailor due to her shyness.

All that said, how much of True Spirit is true, and how much of it was Hollywood magic?

RELATED: First 'True Spirit' Images Show Jessica Watson's Harrowing Journey

Jessica Watson Already Had Plenty of Sailing Experience by 2010

As it turns out, quite a lot of it was true. True Spirit is based on the book of the same name, written by Watson, about her sailing journey, which began when she was about eight years old. Watson is one of four children born to Julie and Roger Watson, all of which took sailing lessons from a young age. The family even lived on a boat for several years, during which Julie Watson would read Jesse Martin's book about his journey sailing the world as a bedtime story (clearly had a strong influence). In a story without shortness of magnificence, Jessica spent ages 11-15 honing in on her craft. Jessica sailed 6000 ocean and 6000 coastal miles while acquiring numerous sailing qualifications. She would join the crew of several boats, gaining well-rounded experience in sailing.

By 16, she had decided to circumnavigate the world by herself. On October 18, 2009, she (literally) set sail on her boat, Ella's Pink Lady , a 34-foot Sparkman & Stephens yacht. In the process, she faced monstrous waves, storms, and understandable loneliness. She would sail 18,582 nautical miles, which, for those that don't know, is slightly longer than a mile on land by 0.1508 miles. Jessica documented her travels on her blog and by video, which would become well-known and still holds hundreds of comments.

The World Sailing Speed Record Council (WSSRC) would determine that Jessica did not technically sail the world because she fell short of the 21,600 nautical miles required by the Council for a sailor to rightfully claim they traveled the world. However, this determination did not seem to matter to the people of Australia, as her arrival home on May 15, 2010, was met with a pink carpet to match Ella's Pink Lady and crowds of admirers. In a twist of fate, a very young Teagan Croft was among one of the attendees of Jessica's return. In 2011, Jessica Watson was named Young Australian of the Year, and in 2012, Jessica received the Medal of the Order of Australia.

True Spirit details controversy and conflict with the media regarding her age, which was very accurate. The Watson family received criticism for allowing Jessica to take on the "Everest of sailing" with her limited experience and youth, even though she had been sailing for nearly a decade by the time she began this journey.

In a moment that displays authentic humility and an attitude that was far beyond her years at the time, Jessica did not see herself as a hero. She saw herself as an "ordinary person, who had a dream, worked hard at it and proved that anything really is possible."

What's Fiction in 'True Spirit'?

According to Entertainment Weekly , Julie and Roger were represented precisely as they were. However, two characters were prominent in the film but were more representations of different people. The first is Ben Bryant (portrayed by New Zealand's Cliff Curtis), Jessica's mentor and disgraced sailor who had lost a crew member while under his command. Ben is a supporting character who is nearly as present as the Watson parents on Jessica's trip. He helps guide Jessica by radio and offers encouragement from afar. In real life (and not mentioned in the movie), Jessica's parents were New Zealanders. She holds dual citizenship in Australia and New Zealand, making Curtis' prominent role almost like a homage to her heritage.

The second made-up character is a particularly inflammatory reporter played by Todd Lasance. Lasance's character, Craig Atherton is based on several reporters who criticized her journey and her parents' support of the trip as they viewed it as too dangerous for a child. The film shows a collision between the Ella's Pink Lady and a cargo ship during a test trip before she begins her voyage. This collision did happen, and in the film, it adds fuel to the fire of the negative press.

In terms of events conveyed in the film, several did not happen in Jessica's real-life journey. Two of them were particularly impactful, the first being stuck at sea with no wind for a week and the second being knocked unconscious by a frying pan during a storm. These made-up events do not take away from the peril of Jessica's journey, though, as there is a scene in which the Ella's Pink Lady is temporarily sunk 15 feet during a storm, and frighteningly, this is true and did happen.

For those looking to watch a movie about a young woman who takes on a Goliath in the form of massive ways and soul-crushing loneliness, True Spirit is currently streaming on Netflix.

Yachting World

• Digital Edition

Jessica Watson: the true story of True Spirit star’s voyage

• Helen Fretter
• March 3, 2023

Jessica Watson talks to Helen Fretter about what her round the world journey was really like and how accurate the Netflix film True Spirit is

In the late Noughties and early 2010s, sailing garnered astonishing levels of attention due to a series of teenagers bidding to become the youngest sailor to sail around the world. One of the most high profile was Jessica Watson, who set off from Sydney in 2009 aged 16, and completed her loop of Antarctica – and a dip north across the Equator in the Pacific – to return an all-Australian hero after 210 days at sea .

It was a remarkable story, much of which was told in real time in Watson’s blog and video diaries. Thirteen years on, Netflix has made a feature-length sailing film based on her voyage, called True Spirit . Following the film’s release in the UK, we spoke to Watson about the experience.

True Spirit is available to watch on Netflix worldwide

Jessica Watson in the spotlight

In the film version of True Spirit viewers are introduced to the teenage Jessica Watson aboard her S&S 34 Ella’s Pink Lady on a trial solo sail, when a violent collision with a 63,000 tonne cargo ship off Queensland leaves the yacht dismasted, and both Watson and her family ashore shaken.

It’s the same opening scene Watson begins her autobiography with, and it’s as shocking to watch as it is to read her written account: “I grabbed at the tiller, flicked off the autopilot and tried to steer us. It was hopeless.

“There was nowhere to go, nothing I could do. Shuddering and screeching, we were being swept down the ship’s hull. A glance told me that the ship’s stern, with its bridges protruding, was fast approaching. The noises were getting louder and, knowing that the mast and rigging were about to come down, I rushed back below hoping for some protection.

“The cupboard next to me ripped apart as the chainplate behind the bulkhead splintered it into a million pieces. The boat heeled to one side then suddenly sprung upright with the loudest explosion yet as the entangled rigging suddenly freed itself and crashed to the deck.”

While the collision would be a terrifying experience for anyone to go through, let alone a teenager on their own, the film highlights how the media storm that met her ashore was even more intimidating. Many commentators questioned the judgement of Watson’s parents, an additional pressure which the film captures neatly.

Watson, now 30, admits that the prospect of being the centre of attention once again with the film’s launch didn’t entirely fill her with joy. “I certainly went into this with mixed emotions. I enjoy my life, I like not being recognised very often, and so there was a bit of trepidation. But at the same time, I’m just so grateful and hopefully this is good for sailing.”

An ethical dilemma

The teen solo sailor trend was a remarkable phenomenon. Australian Jesse Martin was one of the earliest, when he completed a non-stop, unassisted solo around the world voyage to and from Melbourne in 1999 aged 18. Martin recounted the trip in his S&S 34 Lionheart, also the title of his book, which was a major influence and source of inspiration for Watson.

With increasing unease and debate on the ethics of encouraging young teens to take on such potentially dangerous challenges, both within the sport of sailing and across newspaper columns and chat-show sofas around the world, the World Sailing Speed Record Council discontinued recognition of its ‘youngest’ sailor category. Martin has since remained the perpetual record holder, despite the flurry of much younger skippers which followed.

Jessica Watson (right) with actor Teagan Croft who played her in the film adaptation. Photo: Everett Collection Inc/Alamy

Much of the debate ignored the fact that the teenagers were often extraordinarily experienced yachtsmen from remarkable families. Certainly that was the case for Dutch sailor Laura Dekker , as well as American brother and sister Zac and Abby Sunderland, who both attempted circumnavigations (Zac successfully, Abby’s Open 40 was dismasted).

Jessica Watson also had a fairly nomadic childhood with years spent living on boats or converted buses. Ironically, her father had a television hire company but the Watson family never owned one, as she recalled in her autobiography: “I think Dad saw how dependent people became on them and how they restricted the lives of their owners – keeping them inside and inactive – and he decided he didn’t ever want to be like that.”

The Watson family’s unconventionality gets a little lost in the film, so keen were directors and scriptwriters to make them relatable, and show the toll Jessica’s attempt took as an emotional undercurrent tugging throughout the film. For Jessica herself, however, the family storyline was a powerful one to watch.

“Seeing the emotional experience that [my family] went through is pretty intense. I think I’ve appreciated it better in the years since, particularly when other sailors I knew have been in trouble at sea and I’ve had to sit on shore. It’s far worse waiting for news, I would rather be out there in the thick of it. So it is really a reminder of the one extraordinary thing they did by reluctantly letting me go.”

Other figures who had a huge part in Watson’s story – including Golden Globe Race organiser Don McIntyre, who secured her S&S 34 – are blended into one single character who becomes her mentor, shore team, and sounding board.

Some scenes in True Spirit have been dramatised. Photo: Everett Collection Inc/Alamy

How close to reality is True Spirit film?

While it’s gratifying to see sailing in a mainstream family film , sailing hasn’t always succeeded on the silver screen and there are elements of True Spirit which will rankle. It’s something Jessica Watson is well aware of.

“Of course, as sailors there’s parts of the movie which will be a little bit maddening for us.

“I was never relaxed about the details. I always wanted the details to be right where possible. So I have mixed feelings [about some of it]. But there’s so much I love about it too, that it showcases how beautiful it is, how special it is [to be at sea], and there’s nothing better than a little S&S sailing along for me.

Scene from the Netflix film of Watson’s solo circumnavigation. Photo: Images: Everett Collection Inc/Alamy

“It was a case of spending a lot of time with the director and the cast, talking about the inspiration behind it and helping them understand that world. And then I had to step away when it came to shooting some of the details and left them to do that.”

There is one scene – a knockdown which Watson did experience in real life – that involves a degree of suspension of disbelief. “That massive wave did happen in the Atlantic, but it probably didn’t happen quite that dramatically,” Watson says. “Though they did capture the essence of the feeling that time does stand still when you’re upside down in a knockdown.”

Watson arriving back in Sydney Harbour to a hero’s welcome in 2010. Photo: Reuters/Alamy

There are other moments where dramatic licence takes over, including one where Watson is nearly swept overboard through the lifelines. The reality was rather more boring. “I had a furling headsail and then a staysail on an inner forestay, where the storm jib went as well. That all worked incredibly well. As the weather picked up, I was able to just furl the headsail away and have the storm sail ready to go,” she explains, “Something I’m quite proud of is I that I never went on the foredeck – in fact I never left the cockpit – in over 30 knots of wind.

“Sure, I maybe sacrificed a little bit of speed, but that was part of the really conservative way that I was sailing. I could put my fourth reef in from the cockpit, but very often approaching really bad conditions I’d have the mainsail stitched and away.”

Unsurprisingly there’s little in the movie to show more mundane tasks, such as waiting for GRIB files to download. In fact, Jessica Watson was very well supported for weather routing by New Zealand meteorologist Bob McDavitt, who sent multiple daily updates which Watson would overlay with her own weather charts.

Jessica Watson and Ella’s Pink Lady cross the finish line for her unassisted solo circumnavigation. Photo: Christophe Launay/DPPI Media/Alamy

While routing has always been accepted for solo record attempts, with no official governing body to answer to, the question of what counted as ‘unassisted’ for youth sailors was open to interpretation. In 2007 British teenager Michael Perham became the youngest person to solo sail across the Atlantic aged just 14, while his father shadowed him sailing in a separate yacht.

For Watson, there was controversy whether her 23,000-mile route ventured far enough north of the Equator to count as a true around-the-world. “It certainly doesn’t worry me,” says Watson. “The biggest thing for me is that there’s no official record, as none of the bodies recognise the youngest records, which is perfectly understandable. So I don’t understand how there can be a debate about whether or not you comply with a rule that doesn’t exist.

“The route I took, chosen with my team, was about making it as safe as possible. It put me in the right oceans at the right times, and it did the things that are generally recognised as sailing around the world . I’m very at peace with that.”

The next Jessica Watson?

While Watson was inspired by reading about Jesse Martin’s adventures, would she welcome new young sailors inspired to tackle a circumnavigation after watching True Spirit ? “Absolutely, if people are serious,” she says.

Such a project is, however, very reliant on having the right yacht. “People do ask me if I would do it again, and my answer is only if the boat was exactly the same and I had the same support crew, otherwise it’s a resounding ‘No!’.

“It was absolutely that boat and how she was set up that enabled it to be possible. Someone said almost as a criticism, ‘lt was just the boat that got her there.’ But I agree with them.

“The S&S 34 is just such a gorgeous little boat. There’s nothing quite like the way that they sail beautifully upwind in a bit of a blow.”

Watch True Spirit on Netflix Buy True Spirit book by Jessica Watson at Amazon

Note: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site, at no extra cost to you. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.

If you enjoyed this…..

Yachting World is the world’s leading magazine for bluewater cruisers and offshore sailors. Every month we have inspirational adventures and practical features to help you realise your sailing dreams. Build your knowledge with a subscription delivered to your door. See our latest offers and save at least 30% off the cover price.

The Inspiring Journey of Jessica Watson, Australia’s Youngest Solo Sailor

In a world where adventure knows no bounds, one young Australian sailor decided to challenge the sea, defying all odds and embarking on a journey that would make history. Meet Jessica Watson, Australia’s youngest solo sailor , who navigated the uncharted waters and captured the hearts of millions with her awe-inspiring journey.

At just 16 years old, Jessica set out to sail around the globe single-handedly, a feat that seemed impossible for someone her age. Battling treacherous storms, sleep deprivation, and loneliness, Jessica proved that determination and passion know no age limit. Her remarkable voyage not only showcased her incredible strength and resilience but also served as a beacon of hope and inspiration for young dreamers around the world.

With her daring adventure, Jessica Watson became an instant sensation, capturing the attention of the nation and beyond. Her story is a testament to the power of following your dreams, and her unwavering spirit serves as a reminder that age is just a number when it comes to achieving the extraordinary.

Join us as we delve into the captivating journey of Jessica Watson and discover the incredible milestones she achieved on her solo sailing odyssey.

Early life and passion for sailing

Jessica Watson’s love affair with sailing began at a young age. Growing up on the Sunshine Coast of Australia , she was drawn to the water and spent countless hours exploring the ocean on her family’s yacht. It was during these early years that Jessica developed a deep connection with the sea and a burning desire to explore beyond the horizon.

As she honed her sailing skills, Jessica’s passion for adventure grew stronger. She devoured stories of daring sailors who conquered the world’s oceans and dreamed of embarking on her own solo journey. Her unwavering determination and thirst for adventure set her apart from her peers and laid the foundation for her future accomplishments.

The decision to embark on a solo sailing journey

At the age of 14, Jessica made the audacious decision to sail around the world alone. While many doubted her abilities and questioned the sanity of such a dangerous endeavor, Jessica remained steadfast in her belief that she could accomplish the impossible. It was this unwavering self-belief that fueled her determination to overcome any obstacles that stood in her way.

With the support of her family and a team of experienced mentors, Jessica started to plan her epic voyage. Countless hours were spent studying charts, refining her sailing skills, and ensuring she had the necessary equipment to navigate the treacherous waters ahead. Jessica’s meticulous preparation was a testament to her commitment and served as a solid foundation for her upcoming adventure.

Preparation and training for the voyage

Preparing for a solo journey around the world is no easy task, especially for a teenager. Jessica knew that she had to be physically and mentally prepared for the challenges that lay ahead. She dedicated herself to rigorous training, both on and off the water, to ensure she was ready to face whatever the ocean threw her way.

Physical fitness played a crucial role in Jessica’s preparation. She embarked on a strict training regimen that included strength and endurance exercises, as well as learning vital survival skills. Additionally, she worked closely with her team to develop contingency plans for potential emergencies, ensuring she was equipped to handle any situation that arose during her voyage.

As the departure date drew near, Jessica’s excitement and nerves reached new heights. The support of her family, friends, and the entire Australian sailing community helped bolster her confidence and provided the encouragement she needed to embark on this historic journey.

Setting sail: Challenges and triumphs

On October 18, 2009, Jessica set sail from Sydney Harbour, marking the beginning of her extraordinary journey. As she ventured into the vast expanse of the open ocean, she faced a myriad of challenges that tested her strength and resolve.

Watson’s planned circumnavigation route was to start and end at Sydney and to pass near New Zealand, Fiji, Kiribati,  Cape Horn , Cape of Good Hope, Cape Leeuwin and South East Cape. In accordance with the definitions for circumnavigations set out by the International Sailing Federation’s WSSRC, the equator must be crossed – this crossing was carried out near Kiritimati. However, the WSSRC criteria also stipulate that a global circumnavigation must have an orthodromic distance of 21,600 nautical miles – Watson’s journey did not meet this requirement.

One of the first obstacles Jessica encountered was the relentless Southern Ocean . The powerful swells and fierce winds pushed her to her limits, but she refused to give in. With each passing storm, Jessica’s resilience grew stronger, and she learned to navigate the treacherous waters with skill and precision.

Sleep deprivation was another constant battle for Jessica. Sailing solo meant that she had to be on constant alert, taking short naps throughout the day and night to ensure her safety. The sleepless nights took a toll on her both physically and mentally, but Jessica’s unwavering determination pushed her forward.

Despite the challenges she faced, Jessica also experienced moments of triumph and awe. The sight of breaching whales, breathtaking sunsets, and the sheer vastness of the open ocean filled her with a sense of wonder and gratitude. These moments of serenity and beauty served as a reminder of why she embarked on this incredible journey in the first place.

Navigating the open ocean: Lessons learned and personal growth

As Jessica sailed from one ocean to another, she encountered a myriad of experiences that shaped her as an individual and sailor. The solitude of the open ocean forced her to confront her fears and pushed her beyond her comfort zone. It was in these moments of solitude that Jessica discovered her true strength and resilience.

The isolation also provided Jessica with the opportunity for self-reflection and personal growth. Away from the distractions of modern life, she delved deep into her thoughts and discovered a newfound clarity and purpose. The vastness of the ocean became a canvas for introspection, and Jessica emerged from her journey with a deeper understanding of herself and the world around her.

Navigating the open ocean also taught Jessica invaluable lessons about adaptability and problem-solving. She encountered numerous mechanical failures and had to rely on her resourcefulness to fix them. Through trial and error, Jessica learned to think on her feet and find creative solutions to the challenges that arose.

Media attention and public support

News of Jessica’s daring voyage spread like wildfire, capturing the attention of the media and the public. Her journey became a source of inspiration and hope for people around the world. The media followed her every move, reporting on her triumphs and setbacks, and the public eagerly awaited updates on her progress.

Jessica’s story resonated with people of all ages, as it defied conventional expectations and showcased the power of chasing one’s dreams. Messages of support poured in from every corner of the globe, offering words of encouragement and admiration for her bravery. The outpouring of love and support served as a constant reminder to Jessica that she was not alone on her journey.

Accomplishing the goal: Celebrating Jessica’s achievement

After 210 days at sea, Jessica Watson returned to Sydney Harbour on May 15, 2010. The sight of her sailing into the harbor, greeted by cheering crowds and a flotilla of boats, marked the end of an incredible odyssey and the beginning of a new chapter in her life.

Jessica’s achievement was celebrated not only in Australia but around the world. She became the youngest person to sail solo around the globe, a title that would forever be etched in the annals of sailing history.

The  Los Angeles Times  reported Watson’s reason for her journey: “ I wanted to challenge myself and achieve something to be proud of. And yes, I wanted to inspire people. I hated being judged by my appearance and other people’s expectations of what a ‘little girl’ was capable of. It’s no longer just my dream or voyage. Every milestone out here isn’t just my achievement, but an achievement for everyone who has put so much time and effort into helping getting me here. “

Impact and legacy of Jessica Watson journey

Jessica Watson’s solo sailing journey had a profound impact on the world. Her story served as a powerful reminder that age is not a barrier to achieving greatness and that dreams can be realized with determination and perseverance. Young people around the world were inspired to chase their own dreams, no matter how audacious they may seem.

Beyond the personal impact, Jessica’s journey also raised awareness about the importance of preserving our oceans and the need for sustainable practices. Through her experiences at sea, she witnessed firsthand the effects of climate change and pollution on our planet. Jessica became an advocate for ocean conservation, using her platform to raise awareness and inspire others to take action.

Inspiring others to chase their dreams

The extraordinary journey of Jessica Watson serves as a testament to the power of following your dreams and pushing the boundaries of what is possible. Her unwavering spirit, determination, and resilience continue to inspire generations of adventurers and dreamers.

Jessica’s story reminds us that age is just a number when it comes to achieving the extraordinary. It is a reminder that we should never underestimate the potential within ourselves and that with passion, dedication, and a little bit of audacity, we can conquer uncharted waters and leave a lasting impact on the world.

So, let Jessica Watson’s journey be a rallying cry for all those who dare to dream big. Let her story be a testament to the power of the human spirit and a reminder that the greatest adventures often begin with a single step, or in Jessica’s case, a single sail.

Uncharted Waters: Krystyna Chojnowska-Liskiewicz’s Solo Voyage Around the World

Five best places where to sail at least one time in your life, 76 days adrift: steven callahan’s incredible tale of survival in the atlantic, why eric tabarly has been the best sailor ever, live your passion, subscribe to our mailing list.

Meet the Adventurers of the Year: Circumnavigator Jessica Watson

Each day we will feature one of the 2010 Adventures of the Year here on our blog. Get to know them all in our photo gallery , then vote for your favorite for the People's Choice award—every day. You can even vote for a new favorite each day, if you can't pick just one. Photograph by Sergio Dionisio, Getty Images

The Circumnavigator

Jessica Watson sailed around the world, alone, as a teenager.

Before Jessica Watson steered her 34-foot yacht across four oceans, circling the globe without stopping once, her yacht had a collision with a 63,000-ton bulk carrier during the first night of a sea trial. Her boat, Ella’s Pink Lady , lost its mast. Her quest to sail around the world before her 17th birthday was already controversial, and the collision only seemed to strengthen the arguments against the young Australian—that she was too young, too inexperienced, and too immature. (These were also directed at Watson’s parents and two other young wannabe circumnavigators, siblings Zak and Abby Sunderland.) But Watson, who was raised on sailboats and is more poised than most, quietly returned to port, tended to her broken ship, and returned to sea. “Any doubts about whether I could cope mentally,” Watson later wrote, “vanished…I was stronger, more determined, and ready….”

On May 15, 2010, after 210 days, the smiling 16-year-old arrived in Sydney Harbor, the youngest single-handed, non-stop, unassisted circumnavigator of all time. This, too, would become controversial, for detractors took Watson to task for not sailing far enough into the Northern Hemisphere. No matter. Tens of thousands of fans came out to greet her triumphant return to Australia, while millions watched on national television. But perhaps more impressive were the numbers of people following her journey in real time, through her blog. Watson once wrote: “I could write about a fly landing on Ella's Pink Lady and someone would find it interesting.” And 447 encouraging comments followed. —By Ryan Bradley

Read more from Jessica Watson > >

• Nat Geo Expeditions

FREE BONUS ISSUE

Related topics.

• PEOPLE AND CULTURE
• Perpetual Planet
• Environment
• Paid Content

History & Culture

• History & Culture
• History Magazine
• Mind, Body, Wonder
• Gory Details
• 2023 in Review
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Your US State Privacy Rights
• Children's Online Privacy Policy
• Interest-Based Ads
• About Nielsen Measurement
• Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
• Nat Geo Home
• Attend a Live Event
• Book a Trip
• Inspire Your Kids
• Shop Nat Geo
• Visit the D.C. Museum
• Learn About Our Impact
• Support Our Mission
• Advertise With Us
• Customer Service
• Renew Subscription
• Manage Your Subscription
• Work at Nat Geo
• Sign Up for Our Newsletters
• Contribute to Protect the Planet

Copyright © 1996-2015 National Geographic Society Copyright © 2015-2024 National Geographic Partners, LLC. All rights reserved

Jessica Watson's historic solo sail hits the screen in Netflix's True Spirit

In 2010, Jessica Watson became the youngest person to sail around the world solo, non-stop and unassisted.

At just 16, the Queensland schoolgirl spent 210 days at sea battling six-metre swells before pulling into Sydney Harbour where she was met by thousands of supporters and hailed an Australian hero by then-prime minister Kevin Rudd.

One of those cheering fans was a then six-year-old Teagan Croft, who would go on to play the teenage sailor in Netflix's new film about Watson’s remarkable journey.

'It's all still so vivid and real'

Directed by Sarah Spillane and based on Watson's 2010 memoir of the same name, True Spirit charts Watson's journey around the globe, including the media backlash she received and worldwide attention her pursuit attracted.

Now 18, Australian actress Teagan Croft (HBO's Titans) stars as Watson, with Academy Award winner Anna Paquin (True Blood) and Australian actor Josh Lawson (Hoges: The Paul Hogan Story) playing her parents who come under fire for letting their teenage daughter hit the high seas by herself.

Watson, now 29, told ABC News it was surreal to look back on her historic achievement as an adult.

"It's odd, right? It's weird. I'm a completely different person. So much has happened and so much time has passed," she said.

"At the same time, it's all still so vivid and real. So it feels like a million years ago, but also yesterday at the same time."

Croft's audition was the first director Sarah Spillane watched in her search for a lead. And the filmmaker says she set a "high benchmark" that was never matched.

While Croft was already familiar with Watson's story and experienced that historic moment at Sydney Harbour herself, she said the filming process gave her a greater understanding of how challenging the voyage was.

"Being reintroduced to it and learning so much, just all of the details about how big the waves were and how intense the backlash was to begin with – there's just so much about the story I didn't know that just makes it all the more impressive and inspiring," Croft said.

"What I've always loved about Jessica's journey is that she's not the youngest girl to be a solo sailor. She is the youngest solo sailor. It's not a gendered thing.

"I think that's what's so unique, that it's just such an inspirational story.

"And yes, it's led by a woman and a young woman, but it's inspirational, no matter her age, no matter her gender. And I think that is what is most powerful."

'Just make it authentic'

With Elvis and Blonde bagging Oscar nominations ,  biopics are big business in Hollywood , but Croft says imitating Watson completely was never the goal.

"What was really nice is we had a big sit-down meal — Sarah, Jess and I — right before filming began, and we had a big chat about how we wanted to create a character from the ground up, heavily inspired by Jess but not a mimic of her," she said.

"And Jess was so great about saying, 'Don't worry about all the details and minutiae. Just make it real and make it authentic.'"

Spillane said Watson was "very open and had a great understanding of the filmmaking process in the sense that she was very flexible".

"This is based on her true story," Spillane said.

"The journey itself is very true to what she did.

"But certain character aspects, such as her mentor, are fictitious and are based on several advisers that Jessica worked with and, to be honest, my own mentor Jack Thompson."

Just like Watson's solo navigation, much of True Spirit is scenes of Croft alone on her boat as she attempts to weather not just storms, but total isolation, which is only made worse when there's no wind and she's stranded at sea for days at a time.

Spillane has known Watson personally since 2014, when she began her research for True Spirit. She said the film's release came at an "interesting" time.

"We've just come out of COVID," she said.

"I think a lot of people can really resonate with some of the themes … such as this sense of isolation that Jessica endured during her journey.

"Especially for a young person and how one not necessarily overcomes but deals with loneliness and isolation and being somewhat disconnected from the rest of the world."

Watson's story goes global — again

True Spirit is now screening in theatres, but it will reach a much greater audience next week when it begins streaming on Netflix.

"They are releasing this to 190 countries in over 30 languages at the same time. That's something that just wouldn't have happened before the existence of companies like Netflix," Spillane says.

"So many people around the world can access this story, which is very true to when Jessica did make this trip and accomplish this incredible circumnavigation.

"It did attract the attention of people throughout the world because there is something profoundly universal and global about what she did that I think anyone can relate to."

It is a sentiment echoed by Croft.

"I think that there's so much rich Australian history that we don't really tell as much, and I think we're starting to and I think that's really fun," she said.

'I'm actually not quite sure what to think or feel about it'

For Croft, she's keen to tackle more biopics and name-checks Dolly Parton ("I do a cracker impression"), but Watson waves off the idea of giving her solo voyage another go.

"You can't beat your own youngest record," she said.

"But it actually has had quite an impact on me in a way that I really didn't expect."

In 2021, Watson's partner of 10 years, Cameron Dale, died six weeks after suffering a catastrophic stroke .

"Hearing Teagan [Croft] say these things about how the world's really tough, but it's also really beautiful, and seeing that play out and talking about how you can be really vulnerable but also really strong is really unnerving and quite incredible for me, currently, and quite inspiring," Watson said. 

"It's kind of strange, and I'm actually not quite sure what to think or feel about it. But it definitely is kind of making me go, 'Wow,' and sort of almost be a bit re-inspired."

Watson is still modest about her achievements and having the story of her life hit the big screen.

"It really is absolutely extraordinary," she said. "I mean, this stuff, I don't think it's going to happen again for me, that's for sure."

"It could happen to you again," Croft said.

"Who knows what you're going to do."

True Spirit is in cinemas now and is available to stream on Netflix from February 3.

• X (formerly Twitter)
• Arts, Culture and Entertainment
• Film (Arts and Entertainment)

Jessica Watson: Where is the Sailor Now?

Netflix’s ‘ True Spirit ‘ is an adventure drama biopic that follows teenage sailor Jesse Watson’s journey around the globe as she attempts to set a world record at 16. The movie is based on the real-life sailor Jessica Watson, who became the youngest sailor to complete a solo, unassisted global circumnavigation between October 2009 and May 2010. Though her voyage was hurdled with dangerous challenges, she eventually completed it in 210 days, becoming an inspiration for millions worldwide. Now, if you’re wondering about Jessica’s adventures after she circled the world and what she’s up to nowadays, here’s what we found!

Who is Jessica Watson?

Born on May 18, 1993, in Gold Coast, Australia, Jessica Watson developed a passion for exploration and adventure at a young age. Apart from taking sailing lessons with her three siblings , she also lived with her family aboard a 16-meter cabin cruiser for five years. Furthermore, the Watsons temporarily lived on a purpose-built double-decker bus. However, the idea of sailing the world alone came to Jessica at 11, when her mother read to her German-Australian sailor Jesse Martin’s book, ‘Lionheart: A Journey of the Human Spirit.’

When Jessica turned 12, she became determined to become the youngest sailor to circle the world alone. Despite her father’s apprehensions, she trained hard for the next few years and officially announced her plans in 2009. Sadly, most people and the media reacted quite skeptically to Jessica’s mission, wondering how she would pull off a grueling non-stop journey of about 23 000 nautical miles without any help or significant experience.

The negativity toward the teenager’s campaign further increased when her boat, Ella’s Pink Lady , collided with a massive bulk carrier during a test run in September 2009. But regardless of this minor debacle and all the discouragement Jessica faced, she took assistance from her mentors to repair the boat and prepared to set sail. On October 18, 2009, Ella’s Pink Lady departed the Sydney Harbor, gradually charting the waters of the Pacific Ocean and passing New Zealand and Fiji.

In November of the same year, Jessica crossed The Equator, followed by the Kiritimati, and by January 2010, she passed Cape Horn. Unfortunately, she soon faced a severe storm and four knockdowns, but with her grit and determination, she overcame the challenge and proceeded to cross the halfway point of her journey a week later. The following month, she crossed the Prime Meridian, the Cape of Good Hope, and Cape Agulhas before commencing her return toward Western Australia.

After crossing Cape Leeuwin in April 2010, Jessica faced terrible weather and suffered at least three knockdowns, one of which temporarily pushed her boat’s mast deep into the sea. Luckily, she escaped without severe damage or injury and continued her voyage’s last leg. Jessica returned to Sydney on May 15, 2010, after 210 days at sea, just three days before her 17th birthday.

The teenage sailor’s wondrous journey earned her global acclaim and numerous accolades, including the Spirit of Sport award from the Sport Australia Hall of Fame, an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in the Australia Day Honours List in 2012, and being named the Young Australian of the Year in 2011. Jessica was also the only sailor selected for “2010 Adventurers of the Year” by the National Geographic Society.

Jessica Watson is Living a Life Surrounded by Family Today

Following her global voyage, Jessica Watson participated in several prestigious yacht races in Australia, such as the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race in December 2011. Aged 18, she was the youngest competitor and won the Jane Tate Award for the first female skipper, with her team coming in second. The same year, Jessica was appointed as a Youth Representative for the United Nations World Food Programme, under which she traveled to remote Laos and refugee camps in Jordan and Lebanon.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jessica Watson (@jessicawatson_93)

After completing her Diploma of Project Management from the Australian Institute of Management, Jessica completed her Bachelor of Arts in Media and Communication with a distinction in 2016. A year later, she received her Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the Australian Institute of Management. In 2015, Jessica co-founded Deckee, a boating app for maps and weather reports, and worked as the Communications Manager till December 2017.

The talented sailor joined Deloitte as a Consultant in 2018 and is currently working as a Corporate Speaker and a Human Capital Management Consultant with the company. Interestingly, Jessica struggled with dyslexia early on, yet she has still authored two novels. This includes ‘True Spirit: The Aussie Girl Who Took on the World,’ which details her global circumnavigation adventure, and ‘Indigo Blue,’ an adventure fiction novel for young adults. In 2022, Jessica was inducted into the Australian Sailing Hall of Fame.

On the personal front, Jessica faced a heartbreaking tragedy in August 2021 when her long-term partner, Cameron Dale , died from a sudden stroke. The couple had met in 2010 at the Sydney to Hobart race and had been together ever since. Jessica struggled a lot while coping with Cameron’s loss, and to deal with her profound grief, she turned to their shared love: sailing.

Now 29, she resides in Melbourne, Australia, and has built a successful life surrounded by family and friends. Jessica assisted the Netflix movie team at every step of the production process and hopes her story helps young people believe they can achieve anything. In addition to the biopic, she was featured in a documentary named ‘210 Days.’

Read More:  Roger and Julie Watson: Where are Jessica Watson’s Parents Now?

SPONSORED LINKS

• Movie Explainers
• TV Explainers
• About The Cinemaholic

• Streaming calendar

True Spirit ending explained: Does Jessica successfully sail around the world?

‘True Spirit’ is an Australian biopic based on Jessica Watson, who became the youngest person to sail around the world in 2010. The film is now streaming on Netflix.

Warning: This article contains heavy spoilers

Plot summary

Jessica Watson and her family had always lived close to the coast practically lived in the ocean. Jessica sailed for the first time when she turned twelve and became obsessed.

For four years, she learnt everything about sailing and the ocean. She even worked part-time and saved up to complete her dream; to sail around the world.

In September 2009, Jessica is undertaking a trial run before she embarks on the journey. But it doesn’t go smoothly as a cargo ship wrecks her boat’s mast.

She contacts her coach, Ben Bryant, who tells her family. Jessica’s father, Roger, is extremely worried about her daughter. Jessica is close to her sister, Emily.

After the failed trial run, journalists flock to her family and are waiting for her to fail, but she is unwavering in her desire to take on this journey.

The media is also hard on Ben, who lost one of his crew members during The Millennium Cup. There are doubts about whether he can lead her.

Nonetheless, Ben manages to get some assistance in fixing Jessica’s boat and she’s now ready to circumnavigate the globe in ‘Pink Lady’, her yacht.

In a flashback, Ben inspires Jessica to undertake the solo sailing journey. Back in the present, Jessica has been making a video diary of her voyage.

She explains the route as well: Leave from Sydney, go northeast up past the equator, then back down to round Cape Horn at the tip of Chile, then go across the Atlantic Ocean to the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa and then over the Indian Ocean to Cape Leeuwin in Western Australia and down to South East Cape in Tasmania and finish back in Sydney.

After Jessica crosses the equator, she holds a short ceremony to celebrate her worthiness. But the joy is short-lived as a storm approaches.

Ben advises that she weather it. And despite Roger’s concerns, she decides to go through with it. Although she gets knocked out in the storm, she safely makes it to the other side.

Throughout the journey, Jessica is in constant contact with her family. She even spends Christmas with them and makes sure to catch up on every life detail.

Jessica’s next arduous task is sailing through the winds and currents of Cape Horn but she completes this phase without any difficulty.

However, the yacht is unable to progress further due to a lack of winds. This carries on for days and she starts breaking down. She confesses to her mother that she feels alone.

She calms her down with a song and eventually, the yacht catches wind and Jessica’s journey resumes.

True Spirit ending explained in detail:

What happens during the Pacific Ocean stretch?

Jessica gets a call from Emily, who has enrolled at Sydney University. She is about to tell her about a boy she met, but Jessica’s tone suddenly changes to one of concern.

She spots multiple storms approaching her. Ben, who had a falling out with Jessica, returns to her house after noticing the storms. He and her family advise her to reach the nearby port and abandon the journey.

The media also reports this development. All of Jessica’s followers around the world are concerned about her well-being.

Does Jessica navigate the storms?

Emily suggests Jessica look at the video messages recorded by her followers. She realises that her story is serving as an inspiration to countless people across the world.

Jessica figures out a way to get past the storms; by moving with them instead of trying to weather them. Her family thinks it’s extremely risky, but Roger says he’ll support whatever she decides.

The world waits with bated breath as Jessica attempts to endure the storm. She starts throwing up and a giant wave even submerges the yacht.

Her family assumes the worst when she does not pick up their calls. However, the yacht manages to return to the surface. Jessica contacts her family to tell them she’s safe.

Does Jessica complete the journey around the globe?

Jessica’s family tells the media that she has made it past the storm as the reporters and followers around the world rejoice.

Jessica returns to Sydney after 210 days in the sea and is welcomed by a huge crowd along with numerous boats. She is considered a hero by many for being the youngest to complete this journey, at 16 years of age.

In her speech, she says that she does not consider herself a hero. She wants her achievement to inspire ordinary people to achieve extraordinary milestones.

The film ends with footage of the real Jessica Watson right from her video diary to the day she reached the Sydney coast.

Also Read: Lockwood & Co. review: Gripping adventures of a quirky trio

More from The Envoy Web

Hanne: midsummer night character explained, álvaro aristides pirateque: the hijacking of flight 601 character explained, ghouls in fallout (2024) explained, allison whitemen: good times (2024) character explained, richard wilches: the hijacking of flight 601 character explained.

• Privacy Policy
• Media Coverage

© Prophecyverse Media Private Limited

Solo sailor Jessica Watson, 16, completes globe-circling feat

• Show more sharing options
• Copy Link URL Copied!

Jessica Watson may have sailed on her own for 210 days, but the last hour of her trip was anything but solo.

As the 16-year-old Australian entered Sydney Harbor on Saturday after circumnavigating the world unassisted, an armada surrounded her 34-foot yacht: hundreds of racing yachts, tiny sea kayaks, dinghies, ferries, powerboats, water police vessels and one bright red tugboat that sprayed water over everyone.

FOR THE RECORD: Solo sailor: An article in Sunday’s Section A about Australian sailor Jessica Watson gave the name of its writer as Jessica Bennett. Jennifer Bennett wrote the article. —

After she wobbled onto dry land at the Sydney Opera House, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd told her she was “Australia’s newest hero.” Other teenagers might think twice before disagreeing with their country’s leader on national television. Not Jessica.

“I’m actually going to disagree with what our prime minister has just said,” she told the crowd cheering her return. “I don’t consider myself a hero. I’m an ordinary girl who believed in a dream. You don’t have to be someone special or anything special to achieve something amazing. You’ve just got to have a dream, believe in it, and work hard.”

But after sailing 23,000 nautical miles, facing storms and confronting waves that knocked her yacht on its side seven times — evidence of the battering visible on its solar panels — she is unlikely to shed the hero tag soon.

Rudd saluted her as a role model to young Australians and presented her with a copy of the government’s “Keys to Drive” program and “one free lesson courtesy of the Australian taxpayer.” A few weeks before, Jessica had told him on the phone that she needed to learn how to drive when she got home.

“You will pass your driving test with flying colors as you passed the navigation test for the world,” Rudd said.

Jessica’s adventure has not been without its critics, however. When she announced her plans, there was an immediate chorus of concern that she was too young and inexperienced to complete such a voyage, a criticism that seemed to be justified when she collided with a container ship as she slept during a test run between Brisbane and Sydney.

The immense media operation behind her has also come in for some scrutiny — she has 17 official sponsors. Her website is slick and constantly updated and, judging by the number of people wearing official Jessica Watson-branded caps and T-shirts at the Opera House, doing good business.

More serious has been the assertion made this month that she did not sail far enough above the equator to meet the requirements set by the World Sailing Speed Record Council.

But her managers said that since the council doesn’t recognize efforts by those under 18, Jessica had never expected her feat to be counted.

She said the controversy did not worry her.

“If I haven’t sailed around the world,” she said, “I’m a bit lost as to what I’ve spent the last seven months doing.”

Sign up for The Wild

We’ll help you find the best places to hike, bike and run, as well as the perfect silent spots for meditation and yoga.

You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.

More From the Los Angeles Times

Travel & Experiences

How to have the best Sunday in L.A., according to Tia Mowry

April 12, 2024

Live DJ sets! Freebies! Exclusive drops! 12 L.A. shops going big for Record Store Day

Disneyland touts a lifetime ban for disability cheats. That’s not what’s worrying some park-goers

April 11, 2024

This L.A. escape room explores corporate greed — and shows how corruptible you really are

April 10, 2024

• International edition
• Australia edition
• Europe edition

Jessica Watson, the girl who sailed round the world, comes home to cheers

A teenage girl who sailed around the world unaided was greeted by thousands of cheering supporters on her return home to Sydney today after her seven-month voyage.

In her 30ft yacht, Ella's Pink Lady, Jessica Watson, 16, crossed the finish line of her round-the-world journey, which supporters claim makes her the youngest sailor to circle the globe solo, non-stop and unassisted.

"I'm completely overwhelmed. I just don't know what to think and what to say at the moment," Watson said in an interview broadcast live on a screen outside the Sydney Opera House. "It's all a bit much but absolutely amazing."

"She said she'd sail around the world, and she has," her mother, Julie, said as she watched her daughter cruise past the finish line from a nearby boat. "She's home."

The teenager's feat will not be considered an official world record because the World Speed Sailing Record Council discontinued its "youngest" category, which was held by another Australian, Jesse Martin, after he completed the journey in 1999 at the age of 18.

Although Watson sailed nearly 23,000 nautical miles, some sailing enthusiasts have argued that she did not venture far enough north of the equator for her journey to count as a true round-the-world sail as defined by the record council's rules. Watson's managers have dismissed those claims and argued she doesn't need to adhere to the council's rules since they will not be recognising her voyage.

Watson, from Buderim, north of Brisbane, in Queensland, sailed out of Sydney on 18 October amid fierce criticism of her parents for allowing her to attempt such a feat. Throughout her journey they stuck to the view that she was well prepared, noting that she has been sailing since she was eight.

"I don't think any of us would ever doubt Jessica Watson again," said the premier of New South Wales, Kristina Keneally, who greeted her on her return home.

Watson traveled north-east through the South Pacific and across the equator, south to Cape Horn at the tip of South America, across the Atlantic Ocean to South Africa, through the Indian Ocean and around southern Australia.

The route took her through some of the world's most treacherous waters, and she battled through huge storms and suffered seven knockdowns.

But her journey was peppered with moments of beauty. On her blog , she described stunning sunrises over glassy seas, the excitement of spotting a blue whale and the dazzling, eerie sight of a shooting star racing across the night sky above her boat.

• Australia news
• Asia Pacific

Most viewed

16-year-old Jessica Watson Documentary Segment | 60 Minutes

Share this on:

Thousands welcome teen sailor home after 7-month journey.

• Girl, 16, completes solo sail around the world
• Jessica Watson spent 210 days at sea
• PM calls her 'our newest Australian hero'
• Controversy exists over whether she sailed far enough to claim youngest to make trip

(CNN) -- Sixteen-year-old Jessica Watson has spent the past seven months in a self-imposed solitary confinement of sorts.

For 210 days, the avid sailor skippered her 34-foot yacht, the Pink Lady, around the world, a feat few others, let alone teenagers, have accomplished.

But on Saturday afternoon, her solo trip ended in dramatic fashion as tens of thousands of cheering spectators and hundreds of boats turned out to welcome her home to Australia's Sydney Harbor, according to CNN affiliate Nine News.

"I haven't seen a person for almost seven months and suddenly there's just people everywhere -- you know, faces, so much color, so much noise, so much everything," she told a news conference. "All I've seen for so long is empty waves, so it was amazing and very overwhelming. At the same time, I achieved what I set out to."

That achievement -- her team claims she's the youngest person to sail solo, nonstop and unassisted around the world -- is not without controversy .

A storm over whether she'd bested Jesse Martin, a fellow Australian recognized in 1999 as the youngest to make the voyage at 18, came to a head on sailing news websites last week, centering not on her age -- nor on whether she went around the world -- but on whether she had sailed far enough.

Sailing websites such as Sail-World.com reported last week that Watson's route wasn't long enough orthodromically -- that is, by measuring the shortest distance from point to point on a route -- to hit 21,600 nautical miles, the length of the equator.

Watson's team has said she had sailed about 23,000 nautical miles, though it hasn't claimed the distance is orthodromic. Critics have said her logged distance includes zig-zags that yachts inevitably make, and those zig-zags do not count for orthodromic distance.

The World Sailing Speed Record Council, which certified in 1999 that Martin was the youngest to make the trip, mandates 21,600 orthodromic nautical miles for round-the-world courses. Watson's team has responded that it wasn't aiming for any WSSRC record, because the council has stopped recognizing the "youngest" category.

Read more about the controversy

Those who turned out to witness her arrival Saturday at Sydney's Opera House weren't fazed by the dispute.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd called her "our newest Australian hero" minutes after she stepped off her pink-hulled sailboat and onto the pink carpet that well-wishers had rolled out for her, her legs still wobbly after so long at sea.

And before she could pull up to the wharf, her vessel was practically swamped by hundreds of other boats in the harbor -- all admirers wanting to participate in the momentous day.

Watson also shrugged off the controversy.

"It's not something that worries me because there always have been and there always will be some people who choose to not acknowledge the record, and for me it wasn't ever actually about the record, so I'm not worried at all," she said.

Official record or not, her accomplishment is noteworthy. During the course of her journey, she battled 40-foot waves and six knockdowns, including one that knocked her yacht over to the point where her mast hit water.

Her round-trip odyssey started in Sydney on October 18. She spent the better part of the year traveling northeast through the South Pacific and across the equator, south to Cape Horn at the tip of South America, across the Atlantic Ocean to South Africa, through the Indian Ocean and around Southern Australia .

But Watson was modest as she addressed spectators Saturday, taking issue with Rudd's use of the word hero in describing her.

"I'm an ordinary girl who believed in her dream," she said.

CNN's Jason Hanna contributed to this report.

We recommend

• Girl, 16, shrugs off controversy as she ends global sail
• Ellison's goal to market the America's Cup to the U.S.
• America's Cup sponsors abandon ship CNNMone y
• Pakistan's Malala: Global symbol, but still just a kid
• Karadzic calls himself 'tolerant,' says foes plotted massacre
• UK blocks hacker McKinnon's extradition to U.S.

Most Popular

Fine art from an iphone the best instagram photos from 2014, after ivf shock, mom gives birth to two sets of identical twins, inside north korea: water park, sacred birth site and some minders, 10 top destinations to visit in 2015, what really scares terrorists.

• CLASSIFIEDS
• NEWSLETTERS
• SUBMIT NEWS

Jessica Watson- Keeping the Record Straight

Related Articles

Watch CBS News

Australian Teen Completes Round-the-World Sail

May 15, 2010 / 9:08 AM EDT / CBS/AP

A 16-year-old Australian who spent seven months at sea in her pink yacht sailed across the finish line of her round-the-world journey Saturday, becoming the youngest sailor to circle the globe solo, nonstop and unassisted.

Thousands of spectators erupted into cheers as Jessica Watson sailed into Sydney Harbor, the finale to an epic adventure in which she battled 40-foot waves, homesickness and critics who said she'd never make it home alive.

"She said she'd sail around the world, and she has," a tearful Julie Watson said as she watched her grinning daughter cruise past the finish line from a nearby boat. "She's home."

Watson docked at Sydney's iconic Opera House. The teenager burst into tears and gasped in relief as she stepped off the yacht and into the arms of her parents, whose decision to let their daughter attempt the feat was called an act of insanity by critics.

She hung onto her father and brother as she walked slowly and tentatively along a pink carpet rolled out in her honor - her first steps on land in 210 days. Fans screamed and waved as she walked by, many wearing pink clothes and holding pink flags in a nod to her 34-foot yacht, Ella's Pink Lady.

"People don't think you're capable of these things - they don't realize what young people, what 16-year-olds and girls are capable of," Watson told the raucous crowd. "It's amazing when you take away those expectations what you can do."

Watson, from Buderim, north of Brisbane in Queensland state, sailed out of Sydney on Oct. 18 despite protests by critics that she was too immature and inexperienced for the treacherous journey. Her parents maintained that she was well-prepared and noted she has been sailing since the age of 8.

"I don't think any of us would ever doubt Jessica Watson again," said New South Wales state Premier Kristina Keneally, who greeted Watson at the Opera House.

Watson's journey took her northeast through the South Pacific and across the equator, south to Cape Horn at the tip of South America, across the Atlantic Ocean to South Africa, through the Indian Ocean and around southern Australia.

Australian Jesse Martin holds the current record for the youngest person to sail around the world solo, nonstop and unassisted, after he completed the journey in 1999 at the age of 18.

Martin boarded Watson's boat to take over during her cruise toward the Opera House, so she could relax and wave to fans. Watson was given a goodie bag that included a can of whipped cream, which she partially injected into her mouth before laughing and turning away from the cameras.

She was also joined on board by Britain's Mike Perham, who completed a solo circumnavigation at the age of 17 in 2009, though technical problems forced him to stop for assistance.

Watson's feat, however, will not be considered an official world record, because the World Speed Sailing Record Council discontinued its "youngest" category.

And though she sailed nearly 23,000 nautical miles, some sailing enthusiasts have also argued that Watson didn't travel far enough north of the equator for her journey to count as a true round-the-world sail as defined by the record council's rules. Watson's managers have dismissed those claims and argued she doesn't need to adhere to the council's rules anyway, since they won't be recognizing her voyage.

The route took Watson through some of the world's most treacherous waters, and the teen battled through monstrous storms, suffering seven knockdowns.

Watson said she had moments of doubt during those times, but generally kept her spirits up.

"Amazingly, I just enjoyed it much, much more than I ever thought I would and handled the challenges better than I thought," she told journalists. "You don't actually have a choice - you're in the middle of a storm, you're being knocked down - you can't fall apart."

But her journey was also peppered with moments of beauty. On her blog , she described stunning sunrises over glassy seas, the excitement of spotting a blue whale and the dazzling, eerie sight of a shooting star racing across the night sky above her boat.

(Left: Watson smiles as she answers questions following her arrival in Sydney Harbor, Saturday, May 15, 2010. Watson took more than seven months to travel nearly 23,000 nautical miles.)

She sang at the top of her lungs with no audience to critique her and indulged her sweet tooth with chocolate cupcakes she baked in her tiny kitchen. A video she shot shows her giggling while dumping a ceremonial bucket of saltwater over her head after crossing the equator.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd greeted Watson at the Opera House with a grin and a hug, dubbing her "Australia's newest hero" - a description Watson dismissed.

"I'm actually going to disagree with the Prime Minister," she said, as the crowd laughed. "I don't consider myself a hero. I'm an ordinary girl who believed in her dream."

More from CBS News

Driving directions

The route deemed to be the safest and simplest with minimal scope for error along the way. The default recommended route from Michelin.

The route offering the shortest distance to a destination via the most accessible roads. Journey times for this option will tend to be longer.

The most fuel-efficient route that also avoids toll roads.

My cost options

• B7 (Diesel)
• E5 (Unleaded)
• E85 (superethanol)
• CNG (Biomethane)
• H2 (Hydrogen)

My route options

• E5 (Unleaded) €1.700
• Route : Fast
• Distance in : Kilometres
• No restrictions

Services at Pushkino

• Route from this place
• Directions to this place
• Route via this place
• Nearby hotels
• Nearby restaurants

Alternative travel

Arrive at pushkino organise your trip, accommodation, other services, restaurants at pushkino.

• See restaurants from the Michelin selection

Tourist Attractions at Pushkino

• View the must-see tourist sites

Renting a car, an attractive proposition for the holidays

Monthly Report

Eco-mobility

Keep in contact

My michelin account.

Work in progress.