MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Jessica sails past the Falklands greeted by an RAF Typhoon fighter

Sixteen year old Jessica en route to become the youngest person to sail solo, non-stop and unassisted, around the world

The aerial visitors keep on coming for Australia’s Jessica Watson, who has now sailed past the Falkland Islands in her bid to become the youngest person to sail solo, non-stop and unassisted, around the world.

After having her parents fly over her yacht, Ella’s Pink Lady, for about 45 minutes as she rounded Cape Horn late last week, the 16-year-old from Buderim was greeted by a Typhoon fighter jet from the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force at the weekend.

“Even though I was expecting him, I still got quite a fright when he turned up, making a pretty amazing noise as I was finishing my breakfast,” Jessica wrote on her website blog.

“He did a couple of passes, put a big smile on my face and then took off again.”

Jessica reported that the birds, kelp and shipping she had been seeing a lot of as she sailed close to South America had started to become less common as she headed out into the South Atlantic Ocean.

“I’m sure that it can be just as nasty as any ocean, but after looking over all the latest charts, I can’t help being a bit surprised at how small the South Atlantic seems after the never-ending Pacific,” she said.

Last week on safely rounding Cape Horn Jessica sailed passed the 10,000 nautical mile mark.

“This week has just been a dream comes true. It is exciting to be at the half way point, but we still have a long way to go, so it is business as usual again,” said Jessica.

Inspired by Kay Cottee, the first woman to sail solo non-stop unassisted around the world and by Jesse Martin, the youngest person to do so, Jessica Watson has set her sights on shattering Jesse’s record. In the process, Jessica hopes to inspire young sailors, adventurers and everyone with a dream in their heart.

According to Jessica’s blog she was born 18th May 1993 on the Gold Coastand her interests other than sailing include anything outdoors and on the water, camping, the beach, reading, cooking, weather, fencing, dingy sailing, boat design and chocolate.