Jessica Watson
Regardless of all the fuss over whether it is an official record or not, Jessica Watson’s achievement is extraordinary.
Few people could sail around the world solo, let alone at the age of 16. While modern technology such as the Internet has allowed Jessica to remain in touch electronically, it must still be very tough to spend seven months on a pretty small yacht, with no human contact.
And good on her parents for allowing Jessica the chance to prove herself.
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Tags: Jessica Watson
May 16th, 2010 at 9:48 am
What a bunch of patsy questions.
The few tough ones were essentially dismissed.
So we are none the wiser about our supposed aspirational goals.
May 16th, 2010 at 10:11 am
V2: I think you wanted the other discussion – General Debate.
But, DPF, I do wonder why this item on Jessica Watson is filed under New Zealand Politics.
May 16th, 2010 at 10:13 am
A wonderful girl. The pity is she is so exceptional. There should be a whole generation like her. Instead, we have a bunch that in the main, demonstrates all the heroic and inspirational personal characteristics of whitebait.
May 16th, 2010 at 10:15 am
HMM, that’s right and it was what I was reading t the time. Who knows. Key has stuffed up wordpress now.
May 16th, 2010 at 10:21 am
NO Kiwiblog had a post from DPF and I clicked the link to read the article in the herald and returned to post. Here is the article.
http://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2010/05/john_key_qa.html#comment-693355 with the link to the herald.
God moves in mysterious ways but I had opened the page in and other tab. Firefox is great for that and it was still there.
So no I’m not nuts, at least not today.
May 16th, 2010 at 10:22 am
What an incredible achievement. 5 coastal classics were enough to tell me I wasn’t cut out for offshore sailing.
May 16th, 2010 at 10:23 am
It was reckless. And no doubt if she had got into trouble a Government would have to mobilise air and sea rescue costing hundreds of thousands of dollars. But then we spent millions on David Bain’s trial so I may not begrudge the equivalent spending on Jessica.
May 16th, 2010 at 10:31 am
I think you’re wrong tvb. Here is what a reckless attempt looks like. Relevant comments from #38, note especially #40.
May 16th, 2010 at 10:35 am
” It was reckless.”
Yep, and all things deemed “reckless” by socialist wimps should be immediately banned. Because it just might cost the taxpayer some money. Meanwhile, billions are wasted weekly on non workable political schemes that are the brainchildren of the brain damaged, and only drag us into social and mental degradation- the crowded gutter of mundane collectivism.
Anyone who dares to set an example that hints at the possibility of outcomes other than those approved by socialists, must be discredited and slandered. This is the way of those deceitful cowards who are today socially and politically ascendant.
May 16th, 2010 at 10:36 am
did you check to make sure she has no ‘leftie’-tendencies/sympathies…?
..did you use/unleash the official information act on them to achieve this …?
(her parents looked like life-long labour voters to me..!..)
phil(whoar.co.nz)
May 16th, 2010 at 11:00 am
phool
With your 100% record of being wrong in everything you say/predict, we can positively now state that her parents are bloody good conservatives.
May 16th, 2010 at 11:11 am
TVB
You dolt, she is an achiever, good on her, climbing mountains is “reckless” pig hunting is reckless,
She could have been sitting around drinking piss and /or getting preganant at 16 and going on the DPB , if what she did was reckless we need alot more like her
May 16th, 2010 at 11:13 am
Hmmm, Interesting, V2. The link has disappeared (or at least I get an error “Link not found”). This would explain this being filed under NZ Politics. So … dpf: Why the substitution of Jessica Watson for the John Key link?
As for Jessica: Yep – shows what grit and determination will do. She did do a shakedown sail, albeit all coastal, before going, as was suggested in the links provided by Leonidas. The little Dutch girl had not done so, but perhaps hadn’t been given an opportunity to do so.
I think that there is a middle ground here. I think we (the collective “we”, not the “we” here) tend to be a bit precious about not allowing people to do some different and challenging things. That said, there are a hell of a lot of f—wits out there who take on tasks that are CLEARLY beyond their abilities and preparation, and WE (all of us) end up picking up the tab to rescue them. Example: the pair of men who wanted to cross Antarctica, and were prevented from departing from Scott Base because they were inexperienced and unprepared. They tried to go ANYWAY, and sure enough had to be rescued. I agree we should allow and even encourage those with the ability and preparation to take on challenging tasks, but I don’t think we should allow stupid people to try something that then leaves us cleaning up their messes.
May 16th, 2010 at 11:19 am
And P.S. We can be as prepared as anything, but sometimes shit happens. Volcanologists work on volcanoes, and some have died. It’s part of the risk they take. I sometimes work on glaciers and in Antarctica, and we prepare as best we can for the risks, trying to minimise the dangers. But the dangers are still there, and are part and parcel of the risks we accept as part of what we do. And we try not to be too precious about it. Otherwise, where’s the fun?
May 16th, 2010 at 11:25 am
Has this work been subject to a risk analysis and cost benefit exercise.??Who rescues you, and who pays if you get into trouble?? I think you have a damn cheek criticising others in such a patronising and school teacherly manner. Sounds to me like you’re a major consumer of taxpayer funds too. Wages paid by gummint are they?
May 16th, 2010 at 11:26 am
There was no margin for error. Supposing she got injured or worse washed overboard. All that is possible but she had NO backup. It is reckless. I suppose she checked in daily and gave her position off the GPS. But then radio silence. What then. Mobilise the Fleet?? No doubt her parents would wish that. There would be a public campaign. Crying parents on TV. A Government made to look heartless. I simply do not support this kind of thing at all, though I admire her courage.
May 16th, 2010 at 11:27 am
@David in CHCH,
Roslin is Canadian. And as noted in the link cruised to NZ, where she picked up a job a Doyle Sails where I was working. She would not stop yapping about her plan to beat Ellen MacArthur, and was given plenty of sage advice from the guys who had done a lot of offshore miles, which apparently, she chose to ignore. The only time pressure she had was to complete her circumnavigation before a certain date to claim a record. The choice not to do a shakedown was entirely self driven and that is true recklessness.
tvb, do you know anything about sailing?
May 16th, 2010 at 11:30 am
Thanks for the additional info, Leonidas. Good to have it from someone who knows, unlike some who disparage comments from anyone with any experience.
May 16th, 2010 at 11:42 am
” tvb, do you know anything about sailing? ”
Only what he has learned from watching TV One. Its where he gets his lemming like opinions too.
May 16th, 2010 at 11:51 am
It’s not like she woke up one morning and said: I going for a blat in the boat, be back in 210 days.
There was no margin for error. Supposing she got injured or worse washed overboard. All that is possible but she had NO backup. It is reckless.
Offshore sailors know and understand this. They do not expect rescue missions in the middle of the southern ocean.
tvb, ever heard of a safety harness?
and while you’re at it check out some of the gnarly self surgery the Around Alone boys (and girls) have performed.
May 16th, 2010 at 11:59 am
well tvb I suppose if people were to never do things that were risky they wouldn’t get out of bed every day.
It was risky for Columbus to sail to America as it was considered probable that he would sail off the edge of the world – yet he did it and discovered the Americas.
It was definitely risky for Armstrong and his mates to go to the moon – but it was worth the risk.
Think of Cook and Tasman (and even the Maori canoes) risky definitely sailing to NZ but if they hadn’t NZ would not exist as it is today.
How about Hillary and Mt Everest – they could have died?? (shock horror)
I think it was risky what Watson did but thats ok – I’m not a believer in modycodling kids. Let them take some risks as it helps teach them to be resourceful and to stand in the face of adversity. Not some PC crap (like kiwi cricket, no bullrush, no tackle rugby) it just breeds a generation of soft dumb kids.
May 16th, 2010 at 12:02 pm
The sailer who is injured probably expect nothing. But her parents and public opinion will. This was a reckless mission of extreme vanity. I wish her courage was put to something more useful Sailing is the most pojntless endeavour ever.
May 16th, 2010 at 12:08 pm
It is only reckless if the correct preparation has not been taken, in saying that it would be a terrible tragedy if she hadn’t made it and I am sure a very different blog post on Kiwiblog.
If people are aware of the risks of their choices and take appropriate measures against them (including necessary skills) then they are worthy of respect, people that don’t do this are worthy of nothing but contempt from society, celebrating idiots is the real problem now days.
May 16th, 2010 at 12:17 pm
I agree a heroic feat by a young New Zealand bred heroine. (the word heroine still exists doesn’t it?) I would hope J.K. officially congratulates her on behalf of our Nation.
May 16th, 2010 at 12:24 pm
She is an Aussie, which explains a lot.
May 16th, 2010 at 1:22 pm
Few people could sail around the world solo, let alone at the age of 16… I knew of a 14 yr girl from Napier that sailed around the world by herself on boats 30 years ago.. using very old technology.
May 16th, 2010 at 1:34 pm
She did well. Big ups to her. She puts alot of round the cans guys to shame.
Like Leonidas, going around the world on a yacht ain’t my idea of fun.
Got asked to do the Fiji race this year, but declined as would rather do the trip in 3 hrs in a plane than 5 days in a yacht.
May 16th, 2010 at 1:50 pm
@ Ale: What on?
May 16th, 2010 at 2:14 pm
backster (479) Says:
May 16th, 2010 at 12:17 pm
I agree a heroic feat by a young New Zealand bred heroine.
Australian born, not NZ.
May 16th, 2010 at 2:45 pm
does it matter?
she raises the bar for all young people.
Good on her.
She’s probably an ACT supporter anyway.
May 16th, 2010 at 2:53 pm
The sailer who is injured probably expect nothing. But her parents and public opinion will. This was a reckless mission of extreme vanity. I wish her courage was put to something more useful Sailing is the most pojntless endeavour ever.
Your English teacher has similar feelings, no doubt.
May 16th, 2010 at 3:00 pm
I do not care what a school teacher thinks Leonidas, I really don’t. Losers all of them.
May 16th, 2010 at 3:14 pm
Guess that means you’re the big winner then?
May 16th, 2010 at 3:42 pm
Leonidas,
It was O’sinnerman.
They don’t appear to have entered though.
May 16th, 2010 at 4:08 pm
The name rings a bell, but I’ve been out of Auckland for almost 2 years and cant quite remember what she was…. 38-40 footer?
May 16th, 2010 at 4:09 pm
One seriously gutsy teenager, I am proud of her, as a fellow human being. Sure she could have died, failed and/or cost dollars if she needed help but she set her goal and achieved it. Well done Jessica I am humbled.
May 16th, 2010 at 4:17 pm
Leonidas, Lefty……All four grandparents still reside Central Otago and Waikanae, Parents were both New Zealanders that makes her NZ Bred even though she was born in Aussie. Phar Laps parents were both Aussies but he was born at Trentham ask the Aussies what that makes him.
May 16th, 2010 at 4:22 pm
Pretty cool, why so much media hype though.
May 16th, 2010 at 4:27 pm
@ backster
Fair enough. Just have not seen the Kiwi connection mentioned elsewhere. My question would be: what does she call herself?
I’m not sure what you’re getting at with “lefty” though. My point was that Aussies always seem to have the “fuck yeah!, we can do it attitude” while we kiwis seem to have adopted a somewhat more self-defeating, denigrating stance (tvb).
May 16th, 2010 at 4:37 pm
Why the hype: Sailing equivalent of 13yr old competing in and finishing an F1 race.
May 16th, 2010 at 4:42 pm
backster (480) Says:
May 16th, 2010 at 4:17 pm
Leonidas, Lefty……All four grandparents still reside Central Otago and Waikanae, Parents were both New Zealanders that makes her NZ Bred even though she was born in Aussie. Phar Laps parents were both Aussies but he was born at Trentham ask the Aussies what that makes him.
How many races did Phar Lap win in NZ?
How many races did Phar Lap run in NZ?
How many NZ yacht events has Jessica Watson sailed in?
And, to continue your education, Phar Lap was foaled near Timaru, not Trentham.
May 16th, 2010 at 5:14 pm
tvb
A good example of why the girls have to be the men these days.
May 16th, 2010 at 6:51 pm
In the interests of accuracy backster Pha Lap was born near Temuka in South Canterbury and before Big Bruv casts any aspersions on the horses probity I am unaware of the horse being thought a cheat, just one of the true greats.
May 16th, 2010 at 7:05 pm
Leonidas
’65 ftr.
Forgotten who designed it.
Luxury liner (roasts every night and carpet slippers down below) compared with General Lee or skiddy 2 but still prefer the 3 hr trip as opposed to 5 days.
May 16th, 2010 at 7:06 pm
GD
Phar Lap was foaled at Seadown, between Washdyke where the Timaru Race Course is and Temuka.
The name means Lightening in Thai. Never raced in New Zealand. Was bought by the Aussies for 160 guinais!!! . Gin ees, you know what i mean
Was bought at the Trentham sales
May 16th, 2010 at 7:15 pm
Skiddy2? d’yknow Bruce Mcallum?
May 16th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
I heard some dipstick saying she hadn’t travelled 23,000 nm claimed but rather 18,000 as the rest was tacking and jibbing. Sounds a bit like complaining that Neil Armstrong landed safely on the wrong part of the moon to me.
May 16th, 2010 at 8:19 pm
@ Alex, General Lee, the Farr 38?
May 17th, 2010 at 7:14 am
tvb – reckless? Maybe, but calculated recklessness. Her parents and the girl herself knew the risks and backed her training, experience and equipment. There is a girl who ‘can do anything’. Go back to your coccoon, mate, you might injure your tendons typing.
May 17th, 2010 at 8:01 am
general lee is a bakwell white 36.
May 17th, 2010 at 12:52 pm
16yo sails yacht around world.
Redbaiter sees in this further affirmation of the glory of the political right.
OMFG!
Get out more, dude.