Long Delayed Update

Well sorry for the delayed update but not much drama and high speed action to report. (Stay tuned… lots of juicy news and announcements soon!) Since arriving home last Thursday I’ve mostly been going a bit fuzzy in front of a computer screen as well as catching up with everyone back here. I’ve been discovering that sailing around the world is all about planning and organizing. So while we have a break in all that action I thought I’d take the time to answer a few of the questions that I’ve been asked recently.

When did I decide to sail around the world?
I first dreamt of sailing around the world after reading about others who has done it and hearing the stories of other adventures from sailors. That was when I was 11 years old and over the last few years have really started making it happen.

What’s so interesting on the water??!
I couldn’t think of anywhere I’d rather be, I love the challenge of making my own decisions and overcoming all the problems thrown at you, I love sailing and everything gets real simple.

Explain the goal?
The ultimate goal is to become the youngest person to sail solo, non stop and unassisted around the world but if needed I’ll put in a stop or take assistance, safety first. There are plenty of other records and every achievement and forward step is a good one.
I’ll be departing from Brisbane on the 7th November later this year, before then I’ve also got a lot of sea-trials and solo sea time on my yacht to do.

What will it be like?
I find the first few days at sea the hardest, getting over seasickness and settling in. Sometimes I’ll be very busy sailing the boat and for when I’m not, there’s plenty of school work, I’m doing correspondence school.

Future plans?
I would love to end up skippering boats/ships but I also have a lot of other sailing goals. Might be sick of sailing by then!?

Other than the record?
I’d like to show other young people and everyone that anything really is possible; it doesn’t have to be sailing round the world…

Why the S&S 34?
The S&S 34 was the obvious choice as it’s so completely proven (it was used by the two previous record holders, Jesse Martin, David Dicks and on numerous other circumnavigations), it's within the right size range (I’m not very big!) and within the budget. And it’s a really cute boat!!

Being a young girl?
Yes, there is a difference between me and a man but it’s not all physical also they have a lifetime of personal experience. I’ll be using my own experience but also the advice and experience of some really great sailors.

Biggest fear?
My biggest concern would have to be something on the boat breaking and not being able to repair it. But I definitely feel confident about it and wouldn’t be leaving without everything being 100% ready, it’s all about taking little jumps, feeling confident at every step and preparation with a capital ‘P’!

What do I think of Mike Perham and Zac Sunderland’s voyages?
I think that they are both amazing voyages and were definitely one of the things that made me get off my back-side and make this happen! I can’t wait to add a girls name to the list.

Solo sailing experience?
Because of age/legal restrictions I’ve not been able to sail a passage properly solo but I have completed a mock solo passage across the Tasman, January 2009 and have been collecting offshore miles for almost two years.

The Route?
I’ll be departing from Brisbane on the 7th November later this year, my route will take me across the Tasman, under New Zealand across to Cape Horn up to the doldrums and back home via The Cape of Good Hope and the Indian Ocean.

Jessica -out-

Whittakers chocolate supplies and Icebreaker Clothing

Had a great day today, went in to spend some time with the Met Service technical team at their office in Paraparaumu after catching up with grandparents at Waikanae.

Seems like I have, all I'll ever need for supplies for the boat now! Whittakers Chocolates have undertaken to supply me for the voyage! Quantity was a hard one but the boats only so big!

I'll also be snug, warm and stylish with Icebreaker providing me with a selection of Merino clothing.

Flying out of Wellington this afternoon and home tonight!

Jessica

And the latest from back in Australia...

The Mooloolaba Marina held a boaties market on Sunday for everyone to raise the level of the boats on the water and also reduce the density of items held in storage sheds! i.e get rid of some boatie bits and pieces/junk!

It was a very successful day, enjoyed by all. The 'Youngestround' stall selling breakfast BBQ treats started off well but due to our amateur status got a long line of hungry people wondering if we were ever going to get it together!

Well, we did and they all got fed and raised a bit of much needed money for all those in between bits that someone has to pay for! A huge thanks to the Rostas family for helping out and to Mona for remembering her camera.

Julie (Mum)

Land-locked in Otago,New Zealand

Change of plan, I'll be biking around the world!

With cousins Terrie and Megan seeing me off at Queenstown airport.

My last week has been a bit of everything while staying with my Auntie Wendy, Uncle Steve, cousins and Grandparents. A few slow mornings, catching up with a little school work or trying to, talking to my cousins schools about the voyage, learning to ride a motor bike and trying to keep up with the flood of support coming into my inbox. All sorts of positive things happening at full speed. I'm currently in Wellington and am flying home to Australia on Thursday.

http://www.odt.co.nz/the-regions/central-otago/46111/teen-vows-sail-solo-round-world

Jessica

Campbell Island in Pictures

An Albatross chick on Campbell Island, maybe a little cute!

The local dolphins... errr seals, the base behind and looking a little wind blown.

Young Albatross 'Gamming'

With the sea lions before they chased me off.

Base camp in Preservation Inlet, now unmanned but once home to a Meteorological and Department of Conservation team.

Approaching the island, just before dark, I'm told the weathers always like this in the southern ocean!

The Met station on Enderbey Island, now up and working

Start with a volcanic island in the middle of the sub-Antarctic dip in the sea ,cover with glacier, defrost, repeat and cover with wildlife and welcome to Campbell Island. I may not be quite up on some of the facts but that's the general idea I got after talking to Geologists on board Otago Universities expedition boat who we shared Campbell's islands Preservation Inlet with, for our five day stay.
All up, it was a pretty amazing place and a good experience, a great chance to see a bit of the southern ocean.

Jessica

Arrived in Bluff

We have arrived and everyone off loaded onto their flights, all became quiet!
Met with Southland Times in Invercargill . Had some kind of hiccup with the motor was rescued by a Nissen on the road to Cromwell.
We have 2 radio stations ringing tomorrow and Otago Daily Times is coming around for an interview.
More news tomorrow.
Jessica

Cod for Tea

11.45 hours (Qld time)

We are in Pegasus Bay and everyone has been fishing, cod for dinner tonight!.
Will cross strait during the night, ETA into Bluff early morning.
Julie as relayed by Jessica

Stewart Island

0558 hours (Qld time)

Stopped in at Port Pegasus, Stewart Island for Breakfast.
Was bouncy last night.
Will stop northern side of Stewart Island before crossing to Bluff late today.

Julie as relayed by Jessica