Teen sails world month after crash 

Source: SundayJessica Watson

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She is not old enough to drive, but she is planning to disappear over the horizon soon in an attempt to become the youngest person to sail solo around the world.

Jessica Watson only just survived her last trial run, hitting a cargo ship within hours of leaving Sydney harbour, but she has assured her critics this time she is ready.

"We've been through so much drama to get here, but we'll see how it goes," says Watson.

A storm erupted when the 16-year-old's yacht collided with a cargo ship during a trial run last month.

"She needs to be ready to do it, I don't believe on the evidence that I've read that she is," says Deputy Premier of Queensland Paul Lucas.

But Jessica's mum Julie Watson says the nay-sayers won't put her daughter off her voyage.

"I know where people are coming from. They are concerned and worried about it. I guess it's given us the opportunity to go over the preparation again and again and again," says Julie.

To avoid another mishap like the one in Sydney the Pink Lady's auto pilot and ship detection systems have been upgraded.

"I am actually starting to get a few butterflies for the first time," says Jessica.

All going well, her adventure, which starts this weekend, will take eight months.