When Jessica Watson set out from Sydney, Australia, last October to sail non-stop around the world, solo and unassisted, I was—how shall I put this?—extremely skeptical. It wasn't her age—just 16—so much as her inexperience, though that is age related. It didn't help that she collided with a freighter before the start. I thought her parents were idiots.
Mostly, though, it was my perception of solo, RTW sailing as an epic, dangerous, and lonely challenge, requiring superhuman discipline, an ability to survive on little sleep, and the capability to fix, invent, and jury-rig your way around the globe. I got that perception from devouring the RTW sailing literature from the early days: Robin-Knox Johnston, Bernard Moitessier, Miles Smeeton, and many others. Also, from following the inspired craziness of the Vendee Globe. This canon elevates solo, RTW sailing to world-class adventure, matching anything you can find in mountaineering or exploration.
But now that Jessica is cruising serenely toward Sydney on her S&S 34 Ella's Pink Lady, about to conclude her voyage successfully and become a marketing superstar, I realize that it's time to update my perception.
I don't want to take too much away from her accomplishment. Any solo, RTW voyage is a big deal, and I sincerely doubt I would have fared as well. She was knocked down multiple times, slugged her way through gales and headwinds, and, at least early in the voyage, sometimes appeared on the verge of tears.
But after following her voyage I was struck by how much the nature of this sort of adventure has completely changed. It just doesn't feel very "solo" or "unassisted" anymore, and that takes the blood and guts out of it. Think of all the time Jessica spent on the sat phone, talking to her family and shore team. Problem with the autopilot or generator? Get on the horn with the manufacturer for step-by-by step repair instructions. Feeling lonely and blue? Call up your Mum for a chat and some bucking up. Need an emotional lift? Read the comments on your blog.
And then there is weather. Without doubt, the most challenging element of early voyages was a nearly complete inability to know what weather lay ahead in time to do anything about it. So part of the deal was having the snot knocked out of you on a regular basis. In the Southern Ocean, you got the snot AND the crap knocked out of you, and that was why it was such a hoary, intimidating place.
But both Jessica and Abby Sunderland (the other 16-year old who was up for a little global sail), have been on the receiving end of incredibly precise and detailed weather routing. So good that Abby commented that "it was like having driving directions." So good that I was amazed at how rare truly nasty weather was. In fact, I would venture to guess that Jessica experienced less extreme weather, and a lower average wind speed, than most if not all previous solo RTW voyages.
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3 comments:
I have to agree. It seems like a lot of the grunt has gone out of it. Having to map out your own course, take what weather comes your way, and fixing your own stuff by your own cunning is the tough part of, not just RTW sailing, but regular sailing as well. Thats what makes it fun and worthwhile too.
With the fleet of teenagers accomplishing circumnavigations (in all manner of definitions), it doesn't sound like the intense journey it used to.
While not wanting to devalue their achievements you are right.
Although I've only around sailed 1/3 the planet, there was no support team, no weatherfax, not sat phone,and no thoughts of any record books.
When the wind vane steering broke the only option was hove to fix it .
but I have a plan to get me into the celebrity sailing stakes - the oldest RTW sailor - I'm in training!!
I can't belive any sailor would knock the efforts of any rtw solo sailor! Even though electronic communication is far more advanced than when past rtw sailors acieved their goals a solo sailor today still has to cope with weather (Jessica Watson did survive repeated knockdowns including a 180)!! they still have to deal with broken equipment themselves even if guided by electronic communiaction, and they still have alot more courage than most seasoned sailors to even sail out of sight of land!!! I have been sailing for 40 years in both dinghys and yachts and I could not bring muself to tackle solo around the world. Youngsters like Jessica should be an inspiration to all to do something momentous with their lives!!
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