Jessica Watson makes waves to take sailing holiday with boyfriend

by Amanda Lulham

THEY became famous for sailing around the world alone but now Jessica Watson and boyfriend Mike Perham have become crewmates for their first holiday together.

Sailing sweetheart Watson has called a time out after almost four hectic months writing and promoting her No. 1 selling book and documentary of her extraordinary voyage around the world to go - you guessed it - sailing. "Why would I want to do anything else?" the 17-year-old said. "I love sailing."

Watson's last official duty before hitting the water again was to attend a launch yesterday announcing she will be one of Queensland's Season of Sailing Ambassadors.

Part of her role is to sail in a series of events, including this week's Audi Hamilton Island Race Week, and follows her accepting a role as ambassador for next year's world sailing championships in Perth.

Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.
End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar.
"I just like doing anything that will get more people into sailing because I love it so much," Jessica said.

Watson and English sailor Perham, who have revealed that his next adventure will involve him flying around the world, are racing the small 20-foot open keelboat Lumix at the Audi regatta in the Whitsundays with two friends.

But despite successfully navigating their way around the world by themselves, neither is at the helm.

"I'm doing the bow. It's wet but great fun," Jessica said.

"It's a little strange sailing with others but we think we have it worked out now."

Watson has had little time out since she returned from her round-the-world odyssey on Ella's Pink Lady in May.

She will promote her book True Spirit in the US before heading to Brazil and Europe.


The Daily Telegraph