Jessica Watson rides
an 18 foot skiff
on Sydney Harbour. |
| By Frank Quealey, the Australian 18 Footers League. |
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Photos by Ella Bache
and Frank Quealey, Australian 18 Footers League
Page edited By Peter Andrews. |
| Thursday
January 27, 2011. |
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| The fantastic solo Round-the-World deeds of then 16-year-old Jessica Watson have been well documented. They have been subsequently rewarded by the Australian Government last week when she was awarded the honour of being declared ‘Young Australian of the Year’. The following day, Jess took to the water again when she went for a ride on the Ella Bache 18ft Skiff on Sydney Harbour and thoroughly impressed the skiff’s regular skipper Owen Vale. |
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Jessica Watson sailed on the 18 footer, Ella Bache, on
Sydney Harbour, Thursday January 27, 2001.
Photo © The Australian
18 Footers League.
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| "Jessica was great," said Vale. "She showed no sign of anxiety or nerves at stepping on the 18 and we didn’t have to ask her twice whether she wanted to take the tiller. She is without doubt a very capable skipper." |
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Jessica Watson sailed on the 18 footer, Ella Bache, on Sydney
Harbour, Thursday January 27, 2001.
Photo © The Australian
18 Footers League.
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| "Jess loved the sail. Once out on the skiff, she said it was just what she needed. Just to go for a sail on such a beautiful harbour and get away from the cameras and constant public attention." |
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Jessica Watson sailed on the 18 footer, Ella Bache, on Sydney
Harbour, Thursday January 27, 2001.
Photo © The Australian
18 Footers League.
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"She is a special girl with high powers of motivation and determination," added Vale. "Confident, capable and ambitious, without any trace of arrogance. She also has a wicked sense of humour and I was impressed by her strong social and political awareness."
Australian 18 Footers League representatives who met her on the day were equally impressed. |
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Jessica Watson sailed on the 18 footer, Ella Bache, on Sydney
Harbour, Thursday January 27, 2001.
Photo © The Australian
18 Footers League.
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More information and photographs can be found at www.flying18s.com and www.18footers.com.au.
Frank Quealey
Australian 18 Footers League
www.flying18s.com. |
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| Outimage and the
Australian 18 Footers League © 2011 |
