Jessica Watson

Who is Jessica Watson?

Jessica Watson, OAM is an Australian sailor. In May 2010, she unofficially became the youngest person to sail non-stop and unassisted around the world, although her route did not meet World Sailing Speed Record Council criteria for circumnavigation of the globe.

Watson departed from Sydney on 18 October 2009, heading eastbound over the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean. She returned to Sydney on 15 May 2010, three days before her 17th birthday.

On 25 January 2011 she was named the 2011 Young Australian of the Year. The following year she was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia. She currently resides in Buderim, Queensland.