Aussie teen sets sail in record bid

A 16-year-old Australian steered her bright pink yacht out of Sydney Harbour on Sunday to start her bid to become the youngest person...

A 16-year-old Australian steered her bright pink yacht out of Sydney Harbour on Sunday to start her bid to become the youngest person to sail solo and unassisted around the world. Jessica Watsons plan to make a 38,000 km journey through some of the worlds most treacherous waters sparked a debate about whether someone so young should be allowed to try such a dangerous feat.

Watson and her family insist she is an experienced and capable sailor who has studied navigation,electronics and maritime safety procedures. Although she will sail solo and unassisted,she will be in constant contact with her support team via radio,e-mail and a blog.

I think a lot of Australians are nervous for Jessica. Im nervous for her, Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard told Nine Network television. But my words at this stage,given that shes determined to go,would be to wish her the best of luck and to urge her to keep safe.

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Watsons plans suffered several setbacks before she finally left. Last month,her yacht collided with a cargo ship. More recently,strong winds in Sydney delayed her departure.

The first leg of Watsons journey will take her past northern New Zealand,then Fiji and Samoa. In a trip expected to last about eight months,she plans to pass around the southern tips of Africa and South America.

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