Straight from The Horse’s Mouth

Laura St. John Her boat was named Wild Eyes. I really like that name. It conjures an image of a remarkable 16-year-old with ambition and passion. This girl relates to the world with utter confidence, not from the naivete’ of youth, but earned experience. She sees that nothing is impossible when you have skills and drive. I am in awe of Abby Sunderland, the young woman who tried to sail around the world, solo.

In February of this year Sunderland left California and sailed south to the Horn of South America. Heading east across the Atlantic she stopped in South Africa for repairs, then met strong storms that ended her journey in the Indian Ocean. A series of waves demasted the 40' boat. Abby is safe and sound aboard a French fishing vessel, having been rescued at sea, and sadly Wild Eyes appears lost.

Abby's been sailing her whole life. If you contrasted her preparedness to mine and Glenn's when we sailed it would be like watching us ride a Big Wheel to her racing a Ducati Superbike. Her skills are incredible. During this 46 days at sea she not only took care of herself, but also stayed with her school work. She performed engine maintenance and patched sails. She dealt with isolation and managed her emotions. These are skills that many salty sailors have trouble with! She knew her equipment and the conditions like the back of her hand. This is a very smart young lady.

The first young circumnavigator I read about was Robin Lee Graham who, at 16 yrs in 1965, took five years to complete his journey. His boat was nothing compared to Abby's, but he wasn't racing. He had time to take it slowly, making many stops, working and learning as he went. He gained quite an education, the kind of thing that is impossible to get in any class room. His book, "Dove", was published in 1972. It engagingly describes his experiences culminating in finding his wife, having a child and being reborn in Christianity near the end of the journey. I highly recommend this adventurous read.

Abby Sunderland's maturity and mental clarity are keen and I'm certain she would've succeeded unscathed by the emotional stress of soloing. (By the way, her route took her on a path that is not generally frequented by pirates.) I have no doubt, from reading her blogs, that Abby will have a book out soon. Being 16 didn't cause the bad weather that is unavoidable on a circumnavigation. Her age did not hinder her abilities, in fact, it probably gave her the freedom from fear that being 16 gives you. Being young (or at least young at heart) and having wild eyes is what makes great accomplishments possible.