16j Jessica Watson crashed tijdens proefvaart

[Cees Binkhorst]

REPLY TO: D66 at nic.surfnet.nl

Jessica Watson is niet ver gekomen, eigenlijk is ze niet eens begonnen.
Tijdens een week proefvaren, is ze in botsing gekomen met een bulk carrier.
Haar mast is beschadigd en er komt een onderzoek.

Groet / Cees

http://www.theage.com.au/national/teen-sailor-crashes-on-day-one-of-solo-roundtheworld-quest-20090909-fg9n.html
Teen sailor crashes on day one of solo round-the-world quest

Her world-beating voyage hasn't even begun, but solo sailor Jessica Watson
has arrived to a hero's welcome as she prepares to berth her damaged yacht
on the Gold Coast today.

The 16-year-old Buderim schoolgirl's 10-day test run ahead of her solo
circumnavigation attempt got off to a disastrous start when she hit a bulk
carrier off the coast of Stradbroke Island less than 24 hours into her
trip.

Her damaged sloop, Ella's Pink Lady, has arrived at Southport for urgent
repairs that look certain to delay her world record bid.
But the large crowd of well-wishers gathered at Southport Spit have done
their best to keep the schoolgirl's spirits up, cheering, clapping and
walking alongside her as she sailed into the Gold Coast Seaway just after
midday.

About 100 people have lined the foreshore to welcome the schoolgirl, who
is being accompanied on the water by four police boats, a handful of
private pleasure craft and two news helicopters.

"Whether she makes it or not, it's part of history," said Labrador local
Melinda Swaby, who admitted being "in awe" of Watson's bravery.
"I just wanted to come down and show her some support."

Tourists Johan and Nan Wilson, from Auckland, were in favour of the
voyage, which has been criticised as dangerous by some parents groups.

"I don't think its a good start really for an around the world trip, but I
hope she makes it," Mr Wilson said.

Watson set off from Mooloolaba Wharf about 10am yesterday on a week-long
trial run of Ella's Pink Lady. She was sailing to Sydney, where the
world-record attempt was to have begun in about 10 days' time.

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