Jessica's Hobart challenge

Teenage around-the-world sailor Jessica Watson will skipper her own yacht in this year's Sydney-Hobart Race and sail with the youngest crew to ever take part in the historic blue water classic.

Watson. who won fame by becoming the youngest person to sail solo around the world, will sail a Sydney 38 called Another Challenge with a crew of 10, whose average age will be just 19.

Race officials stopped Watson from competing in last year's race because she was under 18. The rules covering the event say all sailors must be at least 18 to take part in the 630 nautical mile race, which is regarded as one of the toughest tests of seamanship in the world. Watson will not turn 18 until May this year.

Speaking at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia in Sydney's Rushcutters Bay on Thursday morning (10/3), Watson said she was thrilled to be able to enter the race.

“I am so excited to announce this project today," she said, "It has been a busy process selecting our crew, but I am absolutely delighted to be working with such a dynamic and motivated group of young sailors.

“We have just spent a week training together in Melbourne and getting to know each other and everyone has bonded so well.”
Watson says she wants to inspire other young people around Australia to strive to achieve their goals.

The boat, Another Challenge, will again be painted in her trademark pink -- to ensure it stands out on Sydney Harbour come Boxing Day.

The project is a massive undertaking that will provide many challenges for Watson and her crew. They will gather together again in Sydney in October to embark on an intensive 12-week campaign leading up to the event. The crew seek to be competitive in the Sydney 38 division and compete for handicap honours, depending on the race’s weather patterns.

Another famous young name joining the crew is Mike Perham from the UK, another solo circumnavigator.

The team will be coached by Chris Lewin, who has skippered Another Challenge in four previous Sydney Hobart races -- most notably in 2004 where he led the previous youngest crew of students from Melbourne University to third place in the Sydney 38 division, and most recently last year when he was beaten into second place in the Sydney 38 division by just 29 seconds.

Gary Linacre, Commodore of the CYCA, the host of the iconic race, says he is delighted to offer Jessica and her crew his support.

“We look forward to Jessica participation in this year’s Rolex Sydney Hobart," Linacre said.