By Ian Grant.
Solo Globe sailor Jessica Watson will complete her remarkable adventure when she steers Ella’s Pink Lady into the sheltered Mooloolah River on Sunday afternoon.
Her triumph to weather the burden of doubt cast upon her adventure by those who thought she was too young, too small and inexperienced to master the required mental and physical demands to sail around the World alone has deservedly captured the hearts of numerous supporters worldwide.
The relatively modest teenager who left Mooloolaba with the ambition to test her sea skills against the wild elements including the daunting task to safely navigate around the storm tormented South American landmark of Cape Horn will no doubt enjoy a sense of personal pride when she weathers the Point Cartwright Lighthouse on Sunday.
Jessica has plans to sail a ‘lap of honour’ just beyond the shore dump off Mooloolaba Beach then head along the shore to enter the Mooloolah River to finally step ashore in familiar surroundings for the first time in almost 9 months.
She can expect to be the focal point of a tumultuous welcome from the proud Sunshine Coast community with many planning to head to sea in dinghies and yachts while the river entrance groynes are expected to be packed with a huge crowd of cheering supporters.
Her arrival will also be covered in a live 2 hour television broadcast by Seven Queensland who will capture the final 20 nautical miles of her epic journey.
As expected Jessica Watson sailed into the hearts and a spontaneous welcome when she reached the Sydney Opera House after spending 210 days at sea.
It was a deserved welcome for the then 16 year old female sailor who had not only proved her determination to become the youngest to sail around the Globe alone but also showed it was possible to turn a long term dream into a real life experience.
Many of her Sydney well wishers were in disbelief when they personally viewed Ella’s Pink Lady for the first time.
They failed to comprehend the enormity of the task but clapped and cheered as Jessica safety steered the relatively small globe challenger over the final nautical mile and a teary embrace from her parents, family and friends.
There will be a similar scene when Ella’s Pink Lady finally berths in Mooloolaba on Sunday to finally allow her triumphant skipper the opportunity to enjoy sleeping in her own warm dry and stable bed.
This will end a voyage that began energised by teenage courage and ended with Jessica Watson maturing with the valued experience of achieving her goal to be the youngest person to sail around the Globe alone.
She clearly demonstrated her exceptional “Aussie Grit’ during the voyage which was spiced with fearful broaches and knockdowns encountered in screeching winds and growling waves to now deserve the honour of privately celebrating her remarkable sea faring achievement within the proud and supportive environment of her Sunshine Coast home.