ABC News Austrlaia: Jessica Watson has spent seven months alone at sea in her sailing yacht. After a 210-day journey of a lifetime, the 16-year-old from Queensland’s Sunshine Coast has become the youngest person to sail around the world, solo, non-stop and unassisted.

Jessica Watson waves to supporters in Sydney - AAP Treacy Nearmy

Just two days shy of her 17th birthday, Watson sailed her 10-metre yacht Ella’s Pink Lady up Sydney Harbour, the same spot she left from almost seven months ago.

Battling six-metre swells and a ripped main sail, the final leg of her journey took several hours longer than what was predicted.

She disembarked at the Opera House, made an emotional reunion with her parents, and then met the official welcome party including Mr Rudd and NSW Premier Kristina Keneally.

Mr Rudd told Watson she has done the nation proud.

“Jess, welcome back to dry land, welcome back home to Australia,” he said.

“You may feel a little wobbly on your feet just now but in the eyes of all Australians you now stand tall as our newest Australian hero.

“At 16 years old, you are a hero for all young Australians, you are also a hero for all young Australian women, you do our nation proud. This is a great day for our country.”

Mr Rudd wished Watson a happy birthday and welcomed her home with a special gift – one free driving lesson, which he thought she would “pass with flying colours”.

Jessica Watson has spent seven months alone at sea - AAP Dean Lewins

‘Ordinary girl’

But the teen adventurer humbly disagreed with Mr Rudd, saying she is no hero.

“I don’t consider myself a hero, I’m an ordinary girl,” she said.

“You don’t have to be someone special to achieve something amazing, you’ve just got to have a dream, believe in it and work hard. I’d like to think I’ve proved that anything really is possible if you set your mind to it.”

“People don’t realise what young people, and what young girls are capable of, and it’s amazing when you take away those expectations what you can achieve.”

As she made her way up the world famous harbour, Watson was flanked by a flotilla and a crowd cheering loudly, waving banners with messages of support.

She struggled for some time to see the boat carrying her family, but eventually made eye-to-eye contact, waving to her parents who had tears in their eyes.

Watson said she was overwhelmed by the support.

“It’s just completely overwhelming right now, I’ve been at sea for so long… but I think it’s slowly sinking in,” she said.

“It started out as something that was a personal challenge but it’s become so much more and it’s amazing to be able to share it and inspire other people.”

She admitted to enduring tough times over the past seven months – one of the biggest which was saying good bye – but confessed leaving her yacht today was also difficult.

“As much as I wanted that hug from mum and dad and everyone, Ella’s Pink Lady has been my home for so long and stepping off just seemed the strangest thing to do because obviously I’ve spend the last seven months doing everything I can do stay on board,” she said.

Watson made a special effort to thank her supporters.

“Don’t ask me how it makes a difference but it made a difference knowing there were so many people out there thinking of me while I was having a tough time in the water,” she said.

When asked what food she was looking forward to, Watson said she was craving fresh cream, something spicy and a salad to go with it.

NSW Premier Kristina Keneally also welcomed Watson home, saying she has inspired the nation and reminded Australians to follow their dreams.

“Jessica, you’ve truly captured the hearts of all Australians and you’ve inspired them,” she said.

“Most young people are fearless and you seem particularly so, but take it from me Jessica there are so many of us who get afraid of risks, we start to doubt, but you have reminded us in a spectacular way that life itself is a risk and those who don’t risk never win.

“And Jessica you have won, you have won against fear and doubt, you have won against fatigue and isolation, you have won against the knockers and the doomsayers, and you have written into our heats and the hearts of this nation a great symbol of courage and dignity.”

Huge flotilla welcomes Jessica Watson back to Sydney - AAP Dean Lewins

Doubts unfounded

Despite setbacks at the start and finish of her journey, Watson’s around the world adventure has been relatively smooth sailing.

She faced calls to abandon the trip late last year after she collided with a bulk carrier off the south-east Queensland coast.

Jessica in the sky, as the teen sailor makes her way to Sydney Harbour - AAP Treacy Nearmy

At that point, many questioned Watson’s ability and maturity, and whether her parents were doing the right thing in letting their daughter go. Even the Queensland Premier was urged to stop her.

Despite the controversy, Watson, supported by her family and manager, remained determined to embark on the voyage.

Apart from encountering wild winds, large swells and several knockdowns – one where her mast was pushed 180 degrees into the water – Watson’s journey from then on was with few major setbacks.

She crossed the Equator and rounded the notoriously tough Cape Horn, withstanding 40-knot winds and a four-metre swell.

But it was conditions closer to home that proved some of the toughest.

Sailing the Southern Ocean, from Cape Leeuwin and around Tasmania, Watson’s yacht was knocked down several times while battling wild storms.

“The last few days have been a bit tough (yes that’s an upgrade from the usual interesting!), with strong headwinds, messy seas, lots of lightning and a few high drama moments,” Watson wrote on her blog.

“With this weather keeping me on my toes, there’s no way I’m relaxing in the slightest.”
For more information and updates go to -abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/05/15/2900405.htm