Top yachtsman warns teenager of 'fatal' voyage
- Mon, 12 Oct 2009
- Comments (1)
Andrew Cape, a world-leading Australian yachtsman who has rounded Cape Horn seven times, has written to Jessica Watson, 16, to warn her of his 'concerns'. Cape believes she has a one in three chance of losing her boat or her life.
'Obviously you have to start somewhere to gain experience but to head straight into the Southern Ocean on your own is foolish', Cape advises. Her chances of making it around the world are 33 per cent, chances of damage to boat or crew preventing continuation are 33 per cent and there is a 33 per cent chance of total loss of boat or crew, according to Cape.
Jessica was due to set sail from Sydney last weekend in her bid to be the youngest person to sail solo around the world.
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October 27 11:40
peter b.
it should not be about age, but skill and capability. perhaps these older sailors are frightened of being embarassed at how "easy" some people are now making a circumnavigation seem. for myself i would not venture forth without a lot of experience, the right boat and crew and ensuring I avoided where possible bad conditions.