Smooth sailing for Jessica Watson before Cape winds

by Anna Caldwell

LIFE has been smooth sailing for Jessica Watson, with the solo sailor even joking she might "give Sydney a miss" and "go around for a second lap".

She is expected to sail past the Cape of Good Hope on Africa's southern tip by the end of next week – but not before she battles some stronger winds.

Jessica has been kept company by sea birds this week.

"The birds up this way seem to be smaller than the ones down south and I sure miss seeing those albatrosses," she said.

She was also enjoying calm conditions.

"It's amazing that after only a few days of quiet conditions so many of my habits have changed," she said.

"Mostly little things like leaving things out on the bench and sleeping out in the cockpit – it's actually quite a thrill to be able to sit a cup down for a moment without it flying across the room.

"(But) I have to keep reminding myself to keep everything tidy and ship-shape, as I know that this will only last so long."

Weather expert Roger Badham has been keeping a watch on Jessica's voyage for The Courier-Mail and said the teen was sailing a "fine balance" between the stronger winds to the south and the soft and variable winds to the north.

He said she would face winds between 10 and 20 knots this week before the weather picked up next weekend.






couriermail.com.au