Alone on a vast ocean, young sailor Jessica Watson tells Ray Chesterton she will still be celebrating on December 25, thanks to her loving family.
Teenage solo sailor Jessica Watson, 16, knew she wouldn’t be home for Christmas this year – so she took it with her.
It’s tightly packed among the other precious packages in the tiny cabin of her small yacht, Ella’s Pink Lady, as she continues her quest to become the youngest person to sail non-stop around the world unassisted.
On December 25, all alone in an endless panorama of water, she will celebrate Christmas in the most personal and private way imaginable.
With any moisture in her own eyes lost in the backdrop of Southern Ocean swells, Jessica will unpack her Christmas Day goodies with only a curious dolphin or migratory bird as a possible spectator.
With grand ceremony and delight, she’ll unfurl a small, collapsible Christmas tree – a cherished memento from her grandparents, who have used it on their own Christmas Day table for decades.
They also packed decorations to hang in the cabin, and presents, which Jessica will open with unrestrained joy along with gifts from her parents, brother and sisters. Just touching them brings memories of when they all celebrated together as a family. Her father, Roger, packed her a necklace, her mother, Julie, a crochet set and diary.
And from a couple of thousand nautical miles away, Jessica will be as close as memories can take her to Christmases past.
“I’ll miss everyone very much, but it will still be a fun day,” she tells Woman’s Day by satellite phone in her first interview since setting sail on October 18.
“I’m looking forward to opening presents, having lunch, taking it easy and talking to my family. I’ll have the decorations up and I’m looking forward to everything. “But a lot will depend on the weather. If it’s bad, I could be very busy. If it’s a nice day I’ll be enjoying myself and taking photos.”
Jessica’s Christmas lunch will also be dependent on the weather conditions. There’s no time for a solo sailor to keep the boat on course while trying to juggle a plate of hot food. But her mother is sure of one thing.
“There is a Christmas cake on board, and chocolates,” Julie laughs. “Jess loves chocolate.”
For sailors, one of the worst fates is being caught in the doldrums – where winds disappear and boats are stranded in a time lock, unable to move until the breeze picks up.
Being alone in the middle of an ocean on Christmas Day could become an emotional doldrums for some, but Jessica is determined to stay confident and optimistic.
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