Cheetah7

As I said, Im sure if their own kids had done something that made the news and received the same publicity they would be proud.

TiddlyPom

Age it seems, has no bearing on massive rescue operations.

Tony Bullimore, for example. That cost upwards of 6 million dollars and he was not a youngster.

Wol

Very true - and he was a serial rescuee!

I agree that age shouldn't matter but the fact is that most people who sail around the world - especially through the Southern ocean - have quite a substantial backup team. In her case there are publicists, PR managers and the like - almost certainly *because* her age makes it "news" in itself.

All credit to her - I wouldn't do what she has done - but the publicity machine that has been deployed, the hysteria generated, the involvement of the police and the PM (of course) and the potential costs of search and rescue make me pretty cynical.

A neighbour of mine in my Sussex house retired early from teaching carpentry at a school, used his savings to buy materials and built himself a yacht. He and his wife then took lessons and sailed it all the way around the globe, taking three years. With a sextant. No backup. No publicity. To me that is more of an achievement (having said that, they of course might have had to be rescued themselves so my comment about depositing an insurance bond stands.)

ABCDiamond

Federal Member for Fisher (her local area)

Is she from a 'rich family" or is she an "Aussie battler"

The term Aussie Battler is an Australian colloquialism referring to "ordinary" or working class individuals

asprilla

She's sailed around the world on her own and that is a truly great achievement for anyone. But this media frenzy is simply because of her age, nobody would care if she was 36.

If she had sailed around the world on her own in 1970, and planned her own route, that would have been an amazing feat.

However, her route was planned for her... on top of that modern technology enabled face to face contact with family & friends, whenever she required it. The modern day solo circumnavigation is not the challenge that it once was. Would she have been able to repeat this challenge 40yrs ago? I don't think so.

It seems that modern technology is making these big challenges far easier than they used to be... Perhaps we need to start finding some harder challenges, pushing ourselves more instead of revisiting old ones?

On the subject of whether or not she's from a wealthy family... It seems pretty obvious to me that her family is not short of a few $$$ given her sailing experience.

Is it harder to circumnavigate the globe if you are from a poor family ? Well, no... it is the same journey after all. But is it more of an achievement if you did not have a privileged upbringing? undoubtedly.

asprilla

I forgot to mention, she crashed into a freighter on the first night after leaving brisbane? what was all that about??! Fair play to her though, she didn't let that get in the way of her trip

TrickyTree

Well done Jess but why the **** did you have to arrive just as 7 were about to go to the V8's (thus delaying it) thanks to that I then had to go and finish the mowing??????? next time be a little more considerate and arrive when crap like Masterchef/Greys Anatomy/Private Practice is on please!

mohogony

From what l read she did'nt actually sail around the world she was 2,000 miles short but why let that get in the way of a good story,

asprilla

If you look at this map you can see that she sailed around the southern hemisphere.

Read the main wiki article for more info on the dispute over the length of the voyage.

moneypenny20

A complete failure then, it was obviously a walk in the park by comparison to doing the world. Shame on her for taking the easy route.

ABCDiamond

Which bit of the circumference did she miss out ?

Lord_Farquar

She made the trip quicker by avoiding the equator.

JoeBloggs80

Her age yes, and she is also quite photogenic. If she was fat and ugly she wouldn't have anywhere near the same amount of coverage.

IvanM

The hype did build up but it is probably due to it being quite and achievement during a time when sportsmen are hitting the news for all the wrong reasons. Sadly once the PR guys are on board everyone goes for the ride as Lara Bingle found out. I just hope she can be rid of the parasites and hangerons ASAP.

If someone doesn't give a monkeys why post about it here?

Swerv-o

Scott didn't make it to the Antarctic first either, and completely failed to make it back, yet it doesn't stop him from being considered anything less than a pioneer.

Maybe we should start to denigrate his attempt at pioneering achievement too?

Stupid Scott. Imagine taking horses, and then not making it back. What a retard. I can't believe so much space in history books is given over to that loser...


S