Lack of wind frustrates teen sailor 

Source: SundayJessica Watson

Light winds are frustrating teenage sailor Jessica Watson on just the second day of her bid to sail solo non-stop around the world.

The 16-year-old has made slow progress since setting out from Sydney in her 10-metre yacht Ella's Pink Lady on Sunday.
  
Shore-based spokesman Andrew Fraser reported on Monday that Jessica was some 30 nautical miles off the southeast Australian coast, but progress was slow due to a lack of wind.
  
"She had a safe passage overnight and is in good spirits," Fraser said.
  
"The only issue at the moment is it's a bit slower than what she'd like.
  
"But one of the reasons she set off when she did is because the weather was calm, so she will have a chance to fine tune the boat."
  
Jessica's heading northeast at a rate of two-and-a-half to three knots, about half her expected average speed, he said.
  
Her mother Julie Watson said Jessica phoned the family early on Monday to vent her frustration, but said she enjoyed her first breakfast at sea, which included a chocolate treat.
  
"It's very quiet this morning. She's had toast, chocolate, noodles and apple," Watson said.
  
"She will just be grazing for a few days just to settle in and it's very calm and flat and a beautiful day."
  
Her trip, which is expected to take about eight months, has sparked much controversy, with critics arguing the Sunshine Coast teenager is too young and inexperienced for such a formidable challenge.
  
Concern peaked last month when her yacht collided with a 63,000-tonne cargo vessel off North Stradbroke Island during her first attempt to sail from the Gold Coast to Sydney.
  
But mother Julie said there were no negative thoughts as Jessica sailed through Sydney's heads on Sunday after reassuring her mother that "it's all good mum, it's all good".
  
"We were just so happy for her," Watson said.
  
"It's been such a big job to get to the start line, it's such an achievement. It's the pinnacle. It's the mountaintop for us."
  
Jessica plans to post updates about her voyage on her blog, which already by Monday has recorded 200,000 hits and thousands of supportive messages from well wishers in 160 countries.
  
She will first sail into northern New Zealand waters before heading towards Fiji, Samoa, South America and South Africa, and then on to the final 7,400km leg back to Australia.
  
The voyage will remain largely in the southern hemisphere, covering about 23,000 nautical miles or 38,000 kilometres.