October 2009 eBook all pages (free PDF, 36.6 - Latitude 38

LAURA DEKKER
SIGHTINGS
Page 76 • Latitude 38 • October, 2009
how young is too young?
It's funny how a world record can lie dormant for years, then suddenly
challengers seem to appear from all quarters. That's what's been
going on lately in the realm of teenage circumnavigating. In August,
we brought you news of 17-year-old Southern California singlehander
Zac Sunderland's historic homecoming, which earned him the crown
for 'youngest around' by any route. Then last month we reported on
British solo sailer Mike Perham stealing Zac's thunder by completing
his lap at a younger age. But even as the young
Brit arrived at England's Lizard Peninsula,
younger contenders seemed to be nipping at
his heels.
What's the latest? Sixteen-year-old Australian
contender Jessica Watson made headlines
last month, but definitely not the sort she
was anticipating: During the first night of her
intended 10-day shake-down cruise from Mooloolaba,
Australia, to Sydney, her 34-ft S&S,
Ella's Pink Lady, smacked right into a 69,000ton
freighter in the middle of a shipping lane.
The ornately painted pink hull was damaged
and its mast was snapped, but Jessica, who
was below at the time, was unharmed. With
Laura Dekker, 13.
repairs nearly complete, she expects to restart
her shakedown cruise any day now, then set off on her nonstop,
unassisted attempt, east-about via the Southern Ocean, as soon as
possible.
Meanwhile, within days of Zac's arrival, his younger sister Abby,
who turns 16 this month, gave credence to the rumor that she intends
to attempt a solo rounding, and do so nonstop and unassisted. The
family has already purchased a water-ballasted Class 40 sloop for the
campaign. With plans to depart next month, she hopes to complete
her trip — and set a new record — next April. We should clarify that
both Zac and Mike Perham made stops and avoided Cape Horn by
transiting the Panama Canal.
As if Jessica and Abby's intentions weren't controversial enough, a
13-year-old Dutch girl named Laura Dekker made headlines around
the world when her solo ambitions became known. But a Dutch court
has put the kibosh on her plans, at least for now.
What's Mike Perham's reaction to all these female upstarts? If
he's nervous, it doesn't show. Within days of his return, which was
heralded by great media fanfare, he announced a plan to join a team
of Brits in reenacting Captain William Bligh's epic 4,000-mile voyage
in an open whaleboat. History buffs will remember that the Bounty
mutineers set Bligh and 18 loyalist crew members adrift with a sextant
and a pocket watch, but no charts or compass. Some people apparently
just need a mission.
But with Jessica and Abby's departures still imminent, debate rages
on the question: "How young is too young?" In a lengthy verdict, the
Dutch court ruled that such a voyage would be too challenging, both
mentally and physically — and Laura had intended to go around the
easy way, west-about through the tropics via the Panama and Suez
Canals. On this one, we have to side with the court. Thirteen? You've
gotta be kidding. Even though Laura was born on a boat and has
spinach in her veins, we have to wonder: Was all this more about her
father's aspirations, or his daughter's.
And what about Abby Sunderland? We don't get it. About a year ago,
her parents explained that they hadn't wanted Zac to go the Southern
Ocean route because it was too dangerous. Did it suddenly become
less dangerous? As far as we can tell, those latitudes are becoming
increasingly more dangerous, with loose sea ice more prevalent than
ever. Bergie bits aside, though, what is it about a background of sailing
in California coastal waters that would prepare a barely-16-year-old
continued on outside column of next sightings page
GIZARAARTS.COM
Abby Sunderland, 16.
waiting with
California State Parks officials had
promised to announce which state parks
would be closed due to budget cuts by
mid-September, but then said that the
process was more complicated than they’d
initially thought, postponing the decision.
That’s left state park employees wondering
if theirs will be among the 100 parks
on the chopping block.
While the staff at Angel Island State
Park holds their collective breath for
the announcement, they’re focused on
“providing the highest level of service