In a matter of hours, Jessica Watson will pass into Sydney Harbour, and she will complete her voyage only to face even more controversy than she escaped with her departure. The 16 year old girl who has captured the hearts and realized the dreams of people around the world will now find herself the focal point of both blind adoration and caustic bitterness from literally millions of people, while her campaign and those behind it will be criticized and analyzed, accused, defended, exposed, nitpicked and lauded for days and weeks to follow. The talking heads, the fanboys and haters, the keyboard cowards and the die-hard fanatics have been having a field day and raking the muck already, and this will almost certainly escalate as they continue to squeak and squeal for some time to come. Such is the price of fame … Details
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It’s the eve of Jessica Watson’s return to civilization, after seven months spent sailing around the world, and the 16-year-old Australian brims with excitement.
“It’s like the day before Christmas except I don’t ever remember getting this excited about Christmas,” she posted on her blog.
An estimated 50,000 fans will cheer as the intrepid mariner docks at the Opera House and steps wobbly from a 34-foot pink sailboat on which she will have lived, with stuffed animals as her only companions, for 210 days … Details
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I’ve never met John Haggin, something I’d like to do perhaps at the 2011 Miami International Boat Show.
Never met him, but I like him. How could you not like a guy who lists his prime interests as being ‘fast boats, polo, race horses and gorgeous women’?Â
Not only that, but his favourite music includes Australia’s top act AC/DC, known here in Australia (affectionately, I might add) as ‘acca/dacca’.
I think it’s also a pretty safe bet that John Haggin is a true patriot – when he formed his offshore race team back in 2004 he named it AMF, and in case you’re thinking American Machine and Foundry, of 10-pin bowling fame, you’re wrong.
To John Haggin it means …Â Details & Pictures
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The sailing season in New England got of to a windy and early start in 2010.
New boards are being tested and early results are excellent.
On May 5th a newboard hit 55.5 over the 100m. Top speed is  … Details
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