Teenage sailor Jessica Watson on the verge of navigating safe passage around Cape Horn

by Amanda Lulham

BRAVE Australian teenager Jessica Watson was tonight on the verge of navigating a safe passage through a watery graveyard of wrecks and lost sailors to conquer the Everest of Sailing - rounding Cape Horn - as part of her epic round-the-world solo adventure.

The teen was close to achieving one of the great maritime milestones by plotting her way through some of the most treacherous waters in the world off the tip of South America on day 88 of her voyage.


It is one of the most barren, desolate parts of the world and renowned for rogue waves, deadly currents, icebergs and shipwrecks.

It was a moment Jessica had dreamed of since October 18 when she began her bid on Sydney Harbour to become the youngest person to sail solo and unassisted around the world.

And more excitement was on the horizon for the 16-year-old who knew her parents, Julie and Roger, were close by in Punta Arenas, Chile, organising to fly over their daughter and her yacht in the Southern Ocean. The Chilean and Argentinean navies were also planning to have ships in the vicinity to acknowledge the youngster.

"I haven't seen anyone for months and all of a sudden I have two navy ships heading my way and a plane with mum and dad. It's super exciting," Jessica said.

"It's been over a month since I've seen another boat and almost three months since I've seen another person, so I feel totally thrilled and spoiled to have so many guests all at once.

"I was extra careful brushing my hair this morning, which is of course completely pointless in this wind."

Julie Watson said she expects it will be emotional for her, husband Roger and 16-year-old Jessica when they do the fly-over.

"I'm so excited, I just can't wait to see her," Julie Watson said.

"It will just be great to be able to look at her.

"It's going to be emotional, I'm sure. I think we'll all be crying."

Julie and husband Roger flew from Queensland to Chile so they could be close when Jessica rounded Cape Horn.

She was on course to round it overnight, which would be an impressive milestone for a young girl on an adventure which has captured the imagination of millions and defied critics who considered her too young for the voyage.

Jessica is now only about 10 days off reaching the halfway point of her odyssey when she nears South Georgia Island, northeast of Cape Horn and south of the Falkland Islands.

At that point, she will have travelled more than 10,000 nautical miles.

She hopes to finish the journey in May.

at the start of the round the world trek she hopes will finish in May.

Herald Sun

Amanda Lulham