After her solo round the world trip it was quite a momentous occasion, after seven months in isolation she was reunited with her family and friends. There were many thousands of people around Sydney Harbour to greet her. The only bit that spoilt it was the welcome by the Prime Minister of Australia and the Premier of New South Wales, they went on and on with some real boring stuff; why don't politicians know when to stop, they put a real damper on what had been a great welcome.

Well done Jessica.. a real achievement for a 16 year old..

Who cares what she did? She makes national news for being from a privileged family, wealthy enough to afford to stick her in a boat and avoid Xmas island!

Background and so-called privilege aside, shes a kid FFS!

I give up - what nations produces the most battlers - Australia or the UK?

I'm glad we have fortunate children - they are the ones who need to lead the less fortunate. (Unfortunately). And perhaps get to.

Versus from a family where its expected to be working the streets, shooting drugs and breeding from 12?

Did the wealth come before the inspiration? or the inspiration from the wealth?

So ... that means that sailing around the world isn't that hard

Well said. It's a circle. The people from less fortunate families who break the cycle can go on to do well. Isn't that what most people would want, fortunate, or not so fortunate.

I have grave concerns for many migrants represented on this site. Many claim or want to better themselves, do well, (or not so well) and yet they still want to gripe about other people.

Bits of it isn't. But you can come unstuck as a couple did only the other day. Fail to shorten sails at the right moment. I'd find parts of it hard now. Just the isolation. Let's face it, most kids could barely tell you the cardinal points of the compass.

what a wanker
so you`d saying you`d be happier if her parents were dole bludgers sponging of the state, instead of hard working and paying taxes

i know a lot of "boaties" who would be just as puzzled

Is that what I said?

Why is it that so many on this site assume that she is from a wealthy family? Is it because only the wealthy in England go sailing? In Australia many people enjoy sailing not just those who are rich.
As a young girl she has shown remarkable determination and skill. Well done Jessica. I don't care whether your family is rich or poor, you have done what a lot of people thought that you couldn't do.

By funding this trip for her, one thing her parents haven't taught her is the value of money. Now she is going to have a lot of it handed to her on a silver platter...

What I mean is no amount of money or privilege makes you a natural sailor. Shes 16 years old, I wasnt even competent to shave at 16.

Whilst other teens were marvelling at their first pimple or even their first drunken fumble, shes sailed around the world unassisted.