Jessica Watson makes triumphant return to Australian waters

by Yasmine Phillips

Jessica Watson back in Australian waters
Celebrates with Vegemite and biscuits
Looking forward to a long sleep-in

SOLO round-the-world sailor Jessica Watson reached Australian waters yesterday -- and celebrated with an Aussie snack of Vegemite with biscuits.

After reaching this milestone in her ambitious world-record attempt, the Sunshine Coast teen declared: "It's nice to be home."

She also enjoyed a reunion of sorts with her parents, who flew over her yacht Ella's Pink Lady just off the West Australian coast, The Sunday Telegraph reports.

Jessica excitedly rang her parents via satellite phone the moment a "random green light" showed up on her chart, signifying she had reached Australian waters about 200 nautical miles off Albany.

"Welcome to Australia!" an elated Julie Watson told her daughter, just before 8am. "You're back, you're back!"

Jessica replied: "It's pretty good to be home. Not that it feels any different, but it's pretty cool.

"I'm having crackers and Vegemite to celebrate."

Dad Roger Watson was delighted. "It's really good to see you again," he said. "We got a little emotional when we first saw you."

Julie Watson said she considered the final leg of her daughter's solo trip the most challenging.

"Some people said Cape Horn would be the biggest challenge, but I've always been more worried about the Great Australian Bight - it's notorious for difficult conditions and it's virtually impossible for sailors to head north to avoid bad weather."

Mr Watson said his daughter's mental strength had enabled her to tackle head-on her dream of becoming the youngest person to sail solo around the world.

"She tells us everything is fine, but I think we've been getting toned-down reports because she doesn't want us to worry," he said.

The last time the Watsons saw their daughter was during a fly-over off South America, just after Jessica rounded Cape Horn in January.

Yesterday, Jessica asked the pilot to "come in closer, or you're not

going to be able to see my beautiful pink toenails".

Her parents said she was over the moon to have achieved another milestone in her journey.

"She was genuinely excited," Mr Watson said. "It means a lot to her."

Jessica is expected to return to Sydney in three weeks - just in time for her 17th birthday next month.

Her manager, Andrew Fraser, said she hoped to make a grand return to dry land beside theSydney Opera House in the first week of May.

Jessica will arrive in Sydney Harbour in the morning to coincide with a big onshore celebration.

Having only been able to sleep for a couple of hours at a time, she said she was looking forward most to a long sleep-in - and some fresh fruit and vegetables.




heraldsun.com.au