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The true story of True Spirit : What really happened on Jessica Watson's solo sail around the world

EW breaks down fact vs. fiction in Netflix's inspiring movie based on the incredible true story of the 16-year-old who attempted to become the youngest person to sail alone around the world.

Sydney Bucksbaum is a writer at Entertainment Weekly covering all things pop culture – but TV is her one true love. She currently lives in Los Angeles but grew up in Chicago so please don't make fun of her accent when it slips out.

Warning: This article contains spoilers about True Spirit, now streaming on Netflix.

True Spirit , Netflix's latest book-to-movie adaptation, is an inspiring tale about Jessica Watson, a teen who endeavors to become the youngest person to sail alone, nonstop, and unassisted around the world. Starring Titan 's Teagan Croft and based on the book of the same name, the film follows her harrowing journey as she attempts to sail 23,000 nautical miles around the globe in 8 months — something no other 16-year-old had ever accomplished before. But what makes it even more amazing is that it actually happened in real life.

Below, EW breaks down the biggest moments from the film and the true story behind them.

Is Jessica Watson a real person?

Yes! Watson exists, and she wrote the book about her own experience circumnavigating the globe upon which the movie is based. "There's so many layers of emotion in it for me," Watson tells EW of watching the film for the first time. "It's amazing, and Teagan's performance is extraordinary. It's me, but it's also something else, which I just love."

After playing half-demon empath Raven on the DC Comics series Titans for years, Croft was excited to finally take on a role closer to home. "Playing Raven on Titans , it's purple hair, very sullen," she says. "And the [ True Spirit ] producers needed to double-check that I wasn't like that in real life, that I'd be able to play Jess. I cracked a couple jokes, made a couple remarks, and they saw I'd be able to pull off perky. It's much more in my wheelhouse. And being able to act in my own accent was something I hadn't had the opportunity to do before. It was nice to have that burden lifted."

Watson and Croft met in person for the first time over dinner before the movie began filming, and they had a conversation with director Sarah Spillane about how the onscreen version of Watson wouldn't just be an imitation. "Then we also went sailing the next day altogether, and we met a few times up after that," Croft says. "It was so weird and awkward at first. I felt a weird guilt, like, 'Hello, I'm playing you.' But she was so lovely about it, and we get on really well now."

Did she really attempt to become the youngest person to sail solo around the world?

She sure did — Watson, now 29, departed from Sydney, Australia,, on Oct. 18, 2009, and returned on May 15, 2010, just before her 17th birthday.

Did she succeed?

Well, it's complicated and depends on who you ask. Watson sailed an estimated 18,582 nautical miles, crossing through the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian oceans, all on her own and without stopping. But ultimately, the World Sailing Speed Record Council (WSSRC) ruled that Watson was ineligible for the record, having traveled just short of the minimum 21,600 nautical miles necessary to claim circumnavigation of the globe. In response to the decision and criticism, Watson wrote on her blog at the time, "If I haven't been sailing around the world, then it beats me what I've been doing out here all this time!"

The movie notably doesn't mention the controversy about whether or not she earned the title of the youngest person to sail solo, nonstop, and unassisted around the world. Once she returns to Sydney Harbour amid a massive celebration, the credits roll immediately. "The movie and what Jess is all about is not about the record," Croft says. "That's not what drove her. That's not what she was sailing for. She was sailing for the love of it. The point of the movie is about this girl who had a goal that was crazy and dangerous, and what she did was incredible."

"The thing is, it's a bit of an invented controversy because there actually is no record," Watson tells EW. "There's no 'youngest' record because the body that does official sailing records doesn't recognize youngest records, which is understandable. So I don't really understand how there can be controversy over a record that doesn't exist. The voyage and the way I sailed around the world was very similar to what other people did, but there's actually no official rules, so it's a bit hard to not comply with rules that don't quite exist."

All these years later, Watson isn't concerned about any official records or titles. "It really doesn't worry me because it was about the adventure," she adds. "But also, gosh, people really feel the need to add some drama or find a way to almost diminish it slightly. And I'm like, 'Cool, you guys do that. I'm cool with that.' Maybe I think about it too simplistically, but I'm just like, 'Why are we arguing about the number of nautical miles for a record that doesn't exist?' There is no set nautical miles. You can't argue over a rule that doesn't exist."

Did all the characters in the movie exist?

All except for two — and those two were still based on real people. In the film, Avatar : The Way of the Water 's Cliff Curtis plays her sailing coach Ben, but Watson reveals he was just a "beautiful representation of a few people who otherwise wouldn't have been able to be portrayed," from the crew who helped her repair her boat to the group of people advising her over the phone about the weather during her voyage and more.

Her parents were pretty much exactly as they appear in the movie, played by Anna Paquin and Josh Lawson . "Mum was the one who firstly read me Jesse Martin's book from the get-go, which was what inspired me to do this," Watson says. "She had the same curiosity and inspiration for the voyage as me, whereas dad really didn't believe it was going to happen for much longer. And then, obviously, he was quite reluctant, as you see. That is probably pretty accurate in terms of mom and dad's dynamic."

Croft struggled the most filming the scenes where Jessica talks to her family over the phone during her journey. "At that point, the other actors were gone, and it was just me, so sometimes that was really difficult to get into the scene," she says. "But what was lucky in a twisted way was that COVID was really big in Australia at that time, and so the borders between my home state and the state we were filming in had closed. I'd just come from filming Titans , I hadn't seen my sisters or my dad for seven months by the end of shooting True Spirit , so I was able to pull a real, genuine emotion from my real life from the real phone calls I was having."

Watson adds that the reporter, played by Todd Lasance, was fictional but represents all of the members of the media who were aggressively and publicly criticizing her plans. "There were some that were pretty damn similar to him," she adds with a laugh. "I was protected slightly from some of the intensity of it at the time because I was just so single-mindedly focused on this thing, which you need to be to do something like that. It was my team and my poor family who caught the worst of that, but it was intense."

She continues, "I can really understand where people were coming from, and it's kind of beautiful that there was so much concern. But at the same time, I don't think people really understood that there had been years and years of preparation. And this is a really safe boat, it's done this a number of times. It's not as crazy as it seems if you've got no idea about that world."

Did her pre-voyage trial run really end in a massive collision?

Unfortunately, yes. Watson forgot to turn on the proximity alarms before taking a quick nap, and a few minutes later, her boat (named Ella's Pink Lady), crashed into a cargo ship. "That collision scene's one of the ones that's really accurate, so that one's pretty intense for me," Watson says. "That was something I still have the occasional nightmare about, but it's so important to the story. It really made me in a way because having to go through that and find the strength to continue really set me up for being able to deal with the storms at sea."

Did she really leave her hairbrush at home?

In a moment of levity in the movie, Jessica realizes she forgot to pack a hairbrush for her long journey and tapes two forks together to detangle her hair for months. That did happen ... but not on her long trip around the world. "That happened on a sea trial," Watson admits. "So not quite the whole voyage. And actually, I got the idea from Jesse Martin who did forget his hairbrush for his trip and used a fork."

Did she battle dyslexia during her journey?

Watson is dyslexic in real life, and she loves how the movie accurately portrays the struggles she faced whenever she got stressed and messed up her longitude and latitude coordinates. "So many people can relate to this, and it's not far off from my reality," Watson says, before admitting with a laugh, "I mean, I like to think that I was never that bad with my lats and longs and getting muddled up. But at the same time, it's also based on the truth that mum did used to call me out when I'm tired or flustered, and I was getting stuff like that wrong."

Did she get knocked out during a storm?

In the first big storm she faces at sea, Jessica is hit in the head with a frying pan and gets knocked out. But it turns out that entire scene was made up for the movie. "I feel bad calling out some of the things that weren't quite true, but no, no frying pan," Watson says. "Although there was legitimate danger with stuff flying around inside the boat in a storm — household everyday objects become deadly. Keeping your cabin tidy is something I should have been better at."

Did her boat get stuck for a week without any wind?

In the movie, Jessica hits an emotional low point when there's no breeze for an entire week. She gets frustrated and ends up arguing with Ben over the radio. That was all fictionalized for the film but was based on real emotions Watson felt throughout her trip. "In reality, you never get such long stretches without wind," she says. "Often, it's more like a couple of days. And even within that, you might get a few puffs along the way. It is, however, very true to what that experience is like for a sailor, how incredibly frustrating it is to just be at the mercy of the elements and just waiting for the wind to come back. There's nothing you can do. Emotionally, they were some of the really tough days out there."

Did a massive storm temporarily sink her boat?

Onscreen, Jessica's journey ends with her biggest test yet, as multiple major storms merged into one. The giant waves flip her boat upside down, and she gets stuck 15 ft. underwater for an extended period of time. It's a terrifying scene, and it turns out, the movie version isn't even the full story.

"There were seven knockdowns," Watson reveals. "Not all of them were quite that bad. A lot of the time, it's just the boat being knocked over. But the 15 ft. underwater is real because my emergency beacon did self-activate as the boat sank. That happened. But the time I was upside down for, it certainly felt like a long time. I haven't really got a concept of how long it was in reality, but we are talking seconds compared to what we see in the movie, which stretches on forever in minutes and minutes and minutes. That's a little bit of an exaggeration there, but it was real to the experience of it feeling like forever."

Was her return to Sydney as epic as it appeared?

Absolutely! When Jessica arrives in Sydney Harbour at the end of her journey, it looks like all of Australia came to celebrate her accomplishment. And as the credits roll, real footage from that moment plays, showing the real Watson reuniting with her family. Incredibly, a young Croft was there in attendance that day.

"I was actually there in Sydney Harbour when she came in, but I'd forgotten since I was only six," Croft says. "When I came across this script, my parents were like, 'We were there!' I've been trying to figure out where we were in the crowd to see if you can see me in that footage. Maybe I'm there in a little pink skirt or something ridiculous."

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True Spirit (2023)

Why did jessica watson want to sail around the world.

According to the True Spirit true story, Jessica's desire to sail solo around the world began when she was 12 when her mother read Jesse Martin's book Lionheart: A Journey of the Human Spirit to her and her siblings as a bedtime story. Jesse Martin was a German-Australian sailor who in 1999 became the youngest person to sail solo, nonstop, and unassisted around the globe. Jessica had spent much of her life on the water and had taken sailing lessons with her brother and sisters. She had spent five years living on a 16-meter cabin cruiser with her family. They also lived on a retrofitted double-decker bus for a period of time. She was quoted in The Los Angeles Times discussing the reason for her journey, "I wanted to challenge myself and achieve something to be proud of. And yes, I wanted to inspire people. I hated being judged by my appearance and other people's expectations of what a 'little girl' was capable of. It's no longer just my dream or voyage. Every milestone out here isn't just my achievement, but an achievement for everyone who has put so much time and effort into helping getting me here." As is noted in her book, her father, Roger Watson, was against her going, and while her mother, Julie, was supportive, she was not living a missed dream vicariously through Jessica. It was clear to her coach and mentor Bruce Arms (represented to some degree by the Ben Bryant character in the movie played by Cliff Curtis) that the decision was very much her own. An image of the real Jessica Watson (left) is shown on one of the original covers of the True Spirit book. Australian actress Teagan Croft (left) appears on the new cover of the book.

How did Jessica Watson prepare for her around-the-world journey?

While conducting our True Spirit fact-check, we learned that like in the movie, she was heavily involved in the preparation for her trip, including overseeing various modifications to her boat, Ella's Pink Lady . The sailing vessel was refitted with a new galley, reconditioned water and diesel tanks, and underwent an entire reconstruction of the electrical system. By that point, Jessica had roughly 6,000 ocean and 6,000 coastal miles of sailing experience. She had also taken numerous courses, including several maritime safety and first-aid courses. She completed a radar course, diesel engine course, radio operator course, and a yachtmaster ocean theory course.

How big was Jessica Watson's boat?

Her sailing vessel, named Ella's Pink Lady , was 10.23 meters long (33.6 feet). Built in 1993, the pink boat was a Sparkman & Stephens model S&S 34. French skincare brand Ella Baché sponsored the boat, hence the naming. Jessica Watson did not own the boat. It was lent to her by Australian adventurer Don McIntrye. Jessica Watson's boat Ella's Pink Lady is pictured in real life (left) and as it's depicted in the movie (right). Photos: Facebook Jessica Watson / Netflix

Did Jessica's boat collide with a Chinese cargo ship a month prior to her leaving on her around-the-world voyage?

Yes. In answering the question, "How accurate is True Spirit ?" we confirmed that about a month before Jessica Watson left, she was en route from Brisbane to Sydney when her boat, Ella's Pink Lady , collided with the Silver Yang , a 63,000-ton Chinese bulk carrier. She had reportedly been taking a five-minute nap at the time of the collision and had failed to spot the Silver Yang on her radar prior to lying down. She also had forgotten to turn on her proximity alarms. "'No, no,' I go, 'It's alright, really, I'm okay, but lost half my mast, yeah,'" she stated after the accident. She managed to get the boat to port using the motor. Jessica said that the collision scene in the movie is "really accurate" ( Entertainment Weekly ). A final report concluded that both boats were at fault, with the Silver Yang's watchkeeper failing to maintain an adequate lookout and spot her in time to avoid her. It's true that the accident ignited even more controversy around whether a 16-year-old girl should be attempting a solo circumnavigation. - 60 Minutes Australia

Did Jessica receive a lot of pushback arguing that she was too young to sail solo around the world?

Yes. Like in the Jessica Watson movie, the prospect of a 16-year-old girl sailing solo, nonstop, and unassisted around the world indeed generated a considerable amount of controversy. Critics argued that she was too young and didn't have enough experience. The Australian Childhood Foundation raised concerns over whether a 16-year-old had the ability to fully understand the risks. Jessica would not be allowed assistance from anyone during her journey, nor would she be allowed to moor to another boat or to any port. However, advice via radio communication was permitted.

Is Cliff Curtis' character, Ben Bryant, based on a real person?

No. Ben Bryant is a fictional character that was created to represent a number of the different men who helped make Jessica Watson's journey possible. In a January 2023 Instagram post, Jessica wrote, "The fictional character Ben is one of my favourite things about the movie. Ben represents a whole team of people. While there are many who so deserve their own character @cliffcurtis_ has beautifully captured the spirit of these men who were so determined to see a young girl take on the world and the way they are some of my best mates. Forever grateful to everyone who played a part in making the voyage possible!" One of the men the Ben Bryant character represents is Jessica's mentor and project manager, fellow sailor Bruce Arms. In the book, Jessica describes Bruce as being "crucial in getting me ready." Another experienced sailor who helped Jessica was Don McIntyre. He had sailed solo around the world in 1990, and he and his wife Margie bought the boat Jessica used for her around-the-world trip. Other men who contributed were Scott Young and Andrew Fraser, who acted as Jessica's managers and helped her attract sponsors.

Did Jessica Watson forget her hairbrush?

No, at least not on her round-the-world trip. "That happened on a sea trial," she clarifies. She did use a fork, having gotten the idea from sailor Jesse Martin, who forgot his brush when he circumnavigated the globe. The movie finds Jessica (Teagan Croft) taping two forks together and using that as a brush.

What route did Jessica Watson take when she sailed around the world?

Alone with her boat and the open ocean, the True Spirit true story confirms that 16-year-old Jessica Watson completed a global circumnavigation that was almost entirely within the southern hemisphere. She set out from Sydney across the Pacific Ocean to the northeast, briefly crossing the equator into the northern hemisphere. She then crossed back over the equator and sailed southeastward far into the freezing southern waters to round South America's infamous Cape Horn, where the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans meet. From there, she sailed northeastward through the higher latitudes and round the horn of Africa before reentering the unforgiving Southern Ocean as she made her way back into Australian waters, traveling a total of 24,285 nautical miles. The Jessica Watson map below traces her voyage.

Did Jessica Watson's boat steer itself most of the time?

Yes. Jessica Watson's Pink Lady boat was equipped with a self-steering wind vane system. Jessica called the system "Parker" after the chauffer of the pink Rolls-Royce in the British television series Thunderbirds .

Is the reporter in True Spirit based on a real person?

No, at least not directly. Todd Lasance's character, reporter Craig Atherton, is not directly based on a real-life individual. Instead, he represents all of the members of the media who were naysayers and criticized Jessica's plans. "There were some that were pretty damn similar to him," she said with a chuckle. "I was protected slightly from some of the intensity of it at the time because I was just so single-mindedly focused on this thing, which you need to be to do something like that. It was my team and my poor family who caught the worst of that, but it was intense." -Entertainment Weekly

Did Jessica perform the tradition of dunking herself in salt water when she crossed the equator for the first time?

Yes. In fact, she filmed the moment and shared the equator video with her followers. It could be found via Jessica Watson's blog. "Oh, it's my first time across the equator," she stated, "so uh, it's traditional to have a dunk in salt water as you go across." She then proceeded to pour a bucket of salt water over her head, similar to what she does in the movie. Jessica Watson celebrates crossing the equator for the first time by performing the tradition of drenching herself in salt water.

Is Jessica Watson dyslexic?

Yes. "For a long time I struggled with reading and spelling," she wrote in her book, adding that she still has problems with spelling. She said that her mom and teachers realized early on that she was dyslexic. The language disorder is typically defined as a "difficulty recognizing and learning the connection between sounds and words." Jessica says that her mother always encouraged her affinity for books and read to her regularly.

What animals did Jessica Watson see on her journey?

A True Spirit fact-check reveals that Jessica reported seeing a variety of marine life, including dolphins, fish, and a blue whale. She saw various birds, including albatross that circled around her boat. In her blog, she also described a frightening moment at night when a large sea creature that she could not identify repeatedly jumped out of the water around her boat.

What did Jessica Watson do while she was on the boat?

"I always had something to do," she told 60 Minutes Australia . "I don't know what I did, but I always found something to do. There was always, you know, a boat to look after, bits and pieces of maintenance to do, and, you know, people to talk to, blogs to write, just sitting there soaking it in, reading. I read a lot, did a little bit of schoolwork." Teenage sailor Jessica Watson (left) shared this image of herself to social media during her around-the-world journey. Actress Teagan Croft (right) is pictured as Watson in the Netflix movie.

Does Jessica Watson have any siblings?

Yes. As seen in the Netflix Jessica Watson movie, she has an older sister named Emily and a younger brother and sister, Tom and Hannah. Like her parents, her siblings were able to communicate with her via her satellite phone and email as she sailed.

Did Jessica Watson get knocked out by a frying pan during a storm?

No. In the first significant storm she encounters in the Netflix True Spirit movie, Jessica is knocked out when an unsecured frying pan hits her in the head. According to Jessica, the scene never happened in real life. "I feel bad calling out some of the things that weren't quite true, but no, no frying pan," she told Entertainment Weekly . "Although there was legitimate danger with stuff flying around inside the boat in a storm — household everyday objects become deadly. Keeping your cabin tidy is something I should have been better at."

Did Jessica Watson's parents fly over in a small plane?

Yes. Though it's not shown in the film, Jessica Watson's parents flew over her boat twice during her journey. The first time was in a twin-engine plane shortly after she rounded Cape Horn (pictured below) in January 2010. The flight was paid for by the media. Due to poor weather conditions, it took three tries until her parents were able to reach her location. "Hi, mum, how are you? How do I look from up there?" she asked her mom during the flyover. "You look so small on that huge ocean," her mother replied. They both shed tears during their conversation. Her parents flew over her again in April to celebrate her entering Australian waters. On her blog, Jessica shared these images on January 14, 2010 of when she rounded Cape Horn (pictured), which is located on Hornos Island in the Hermite Islands group at the foot of South America.

Did Jessica Watson have to perform repairs during her journey?

Yes. In researching the question, "Is True Spirit accurate?" we learned that Watson indeed encountered several complications on her journey, including various repairs that she had to make to her boat. The repairs were chronicled on Jessica Watson's blog, including repairs to the mainsail, battery monitor, stove, toilet (twice), kettle, and the replacement of the wind generator blades. She eventually replaced the wind generator with a spare, and she replaced the engine's fuel pump after being plagued by engine trouble toward the end of her journey. "The little Yanmar engine is going again! A little delicately, but it is running with a water transfer pump rigged up in place of the fuel pump which had stopped working," she explained in her blog. "It's pretty dodgy with all the mismatching hoses but should do the job." As for the leak that arises in the movie, Watson says that it didn't happen in real life. "There's quite a leak in the movie that it looks like I'm fixing with blu-tack. In reality, there was nothing major, which again, was a real testament to the preparation behind it and a lot of things going right; a lot of conservative decisions." Jessica shared this photo on social media in April 2010 with the caption, "Fitting the blade to the new wind generator." Photo: Facebook

How many days was Jessica Watson alone at sea?

Jessica's solo, nonstop, unassisted around-the-world journey took 210 days (approximately seven months) and she logged 24,285 nautical miles, though her officially recognized sailing distance was considerably less. She departed Sydney Harbour on October 18, 2009 and returned on May 15, 2010.

Did Jessica encounter the monster waves shown in the movie?

Yes. She survived a total of seven knockdowns on her voyage, which is when a boat is knocked over on its side to roughly 90 degrees or less by wind or waves. In terms of sailing, it is characterized by the boat capsizing to the point that the mast touches the water. Some of the knockdowns were severe, including one in which Ella's Pink Lady was thrown upside down into the trough of a wave. Jessica clung to the handholds as things flew around the cabin and her feet inched up the wall and onto the roof, with the mast pushed 180 degrees into the water. This was one of four knockdowns that occurred during a late-January storm in the South Atlantic Ocean, which had produced 65-knot winds or greater. The True Spirit movie true story confirms that in the latter portion of her journey, Jessica encountered three monster low-pressure systems that formed in succession off Antarctica and surged through the Southern Ocean, producing 50-knot winds and gigantic waves up to 12 meters (39 feet) high.

Was Jessica Watson's boat underwater?

In an intense moment in the Netflix movie, Jessica's boat is submerged upside down and is at least 15 feet underwater. Several minutes seem to pass before her boat resurfaces. The real Jessica Watson said that this moment in the film was dramatized. "But of course, there's movie magic involved as well," she said. "There are some details that certainly don't follow the reality, and sailors will, no doubt, pick them up. The big storm scene where the boat's underwater for quite some time, in reality, wasn't that dramatic. But in that moment, it certainly felt like it. So maybe it's sort of true to the feeling behind it." -Practical Boat Owner She told Entertainment Weekly , "The 15 ft. underwater is real because my emergency beacon did self-activate as the boat sank. That happened. But the time I was upside down for, it certainly felt like a long time. I haven't really got a concept of how long it was in reality, but we are talking seconds compared to what we see in the movie, which stretches on forever in minutes and minutes and minutes. That's a little bit of an exaggeration there, but it was real to the experience of it feeling like forever."

How old was the real Jessica Watson when she completed her solo sailing trip around the world?

Like in the Netflix movie, Jessica was 16 when she sailed into Sydney Harbour on May 15, 2010 to complete her solo, nonstop, unassisted journey around the world. She stepped off the Pink Lady boat and into the arms of her relieved parents just three days before her 17th birthday. Jessica Watson steps off her boat and into the arms of her relieved parents after completing her circumnavigation.

How did Jessica Watson handle being alone at sea for so long?

Jessica says that she handled it "really well." "I'm not sure if that means that I'm really simple or not, but I really did enjoy being by myself," she told 60 Minutes Australia . "I obviously really missed everyone, you know, from the day, the minute I started out of Sydney Harbour, you know, it was something's missing and I missed everyone so badly, but I did, I really enjoyed it. You know, once I got used to it, I enjoyed, you know, the sort of freedom, the independence of being by yourself." Though we don't see it in the Jessica Watson movie, she cried after she departed and the boat with her mom and dad on it had turned back (in the film, they bid her farewell from the dock). In her book, she mentions crying when she found out her brother got his first job because she couldn't be there to congratulate him. She also describes breaking down and crying prior to passing Cape Horn when she felt like she wasn't making any headway toward the cape. Her parents were scheduled to fly over and she felt guilty that she was delaying everyone. She later describes being in a "black hole" of depression for three days when she was several hundred miles from Australia, blaming her mood on the rainy weather but then saying that justification was "complete nonsense." Jessica Watson (left) is pictured as she rounds Cape Horn in poor weather conditions. As she did in the movie (right), she was able to talk to her parents via sat-phone, including when they flew over her location. Photo: Facebook

Did Jessica expect nearly a hundred thousand people to show up to welcome her home?

No, her surprise in the movie is true to real life. "I expected a few people here to meet me," she told 60 Minutes Australia , "but what we got coming into Harbour was just completely overwhelming." Roughly one hundred thousand people packed Sydney Harbour to welcome her home, including Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who called her the "newest Australian hero," to which she really did disagree. "I don't consider myself a hero, I'm an ordinary girl," she told the crowd. "You don't have to be someone special to achieve something amazing, you've just got to have a dream, believe in it, and work hard."

Did Jessica Watson chronicle her journey in a blog?

Yes. The True Spirit true story confirms that Jessica Watson's blog featured near-daily posts that she made about her journey. She also shared many pics and several videos with her growing number of supporters. Each one of her posts received hundreds of comments, mostly wishing her well. Though she has a new website at JessicaWatson.com.au , her original blog from her journey can still be read at YougestRound.Blogspot.com . It's a must-read if you want a better idea of what her real-life trip was like. On her blog, Jessica shared this picture that she took from atop the mast of the Pink Lady in January 2010.

Did Jessica Watson's journey add up to an officially recognized circumnavigation?

No. Technically, her primarily southern journey did not go far enough north of the equator to satisfy the World Speed Sailing Record Council (WSSRC) to be a true around-the-world trip. The WSSRC, which is the official record body, recognizes a full circumnavigation of the globe as having traveled an orthodromic distance (great circle) of at least 21,600 nautical miles, the circumference of the Earth. According to Sail-World.com , Jessica's voyage came up at least 2,000 nautical miles short and therefore would not go into the WSSRC's record books as a full global circumnavigation. It's true that her own log had her traveling 24,285 nautical miles, but official sailing distances do not include the amount her vessel tacked and detoured for weather. The 1999 officially-recognized circumnavigation of one of her idols, German-Australian sailor Jesse Martin, went significantly farther north of the equator. "I could give you a million technical arguments, you know, my trip is no different to so many other people who have circumnavigated and you know become very famous for doing it," said Jessica, "but it's like I said, it doesn't worry me. There's always going to be someone out there who says something, and possibly because they just don't want to believe that it's possible for a 16-year-old to sail around the world." In her book True Spirit , she stated, "If I haven't been sailing around the world, then it beats me what I've been doing out here all this time!" Her manager, Andrew Fraser, defended her journey by pointing out that the WSSRC does not recognize records achieved by sailors who are not yet eighteen, so their input doesn't matter. He argued that it was never stated she would be going for a world record, simply that she would become the youngest person to circumnavigate the globe solo, nonstop, and unassisted ( Brisbane Times ). In the book, Jessica says that she wrote several letters to the WSSRC asking the organization what she had to do to secure the record. They responded by stating that she would not be able to since age records were no longer recognized. The "youngest" category was removed in an effort to prevent ambitious parents from sending ever-younger kids out to sea. Still, she felt that she had done everything necessary for the record, including starting and returning from the same point and crossing the equator and all meridians of longitude. She pointed out that she sailed "a little longer" than Kay Cottee's solo, unassisted, and nonstop circumnavigation, which was recognized by the WSSRC.

Where can I see Jessica Watson's boat, Ella's Pink Lady ?

The nearly 34-foot yacht was purchased jointly in 2011 by the Queensland and Commonwealth governments for $300,000. It is currently on display at the Queensland Maritime Museum. Jessica Watson is pictured with the boat Ella's Pink Lady at the Queensland Maritime Museum, where it has been on display since 2011. Photo: Queensland Maritime Museum Facebook

Where is Jessica Watson today?

After successfully completing her around-the-world journey, Jessica wrote about it in her 2010 book True Spirit , which became the basis for the 2023 Netflix movie. The TV documentary 210 Days , narrated by Richard Branson, was also released in 2010. It featured footage of Jessica before, during, and after her solo trip. In 2011, she was named Young Australian of the Year, and in 2012, she was awarded the Order of Australia Medal. Jessica became involved in various projects, including becoming the youngest skipper in Australia's famous Sydney to Hobart yacht race. Her team, which was the youngest ever to compete, took second in their division. Humanitarian work included becoming a Youth Representative for the United Nations World Food Programme, a role that took her to far-away Laos and refugee camps in Lebanon and Jordan. According to her website, Jessica graduated from university, completed an MBA, and was a founding member of the marine start-up Deckee, which advertises itself as an "all-in-one boating app" that combines official information with crowdsourced reports, focusing on marine weather, safety alerts, activity logging, location sharing, official regulations, and local knowledge. In 2014, she gave a TEDx Talk in Brisbane in which she discussed her experience sailing around the world. She wrote a second book that was published in 2018, a sailing-themed middle-grade novel titled Indigo Blue . She's been a sought-after corporate speaker and has worked as a management consultant as part of Deloitte's Human Capital consulting team. In 2021, she was a consultant on the True Spirit Netflix movie about her 2010 circumnavigation. The real Jessica Watson (left) was a consultant on the True Spirit Netflix movie. She's pictured with actress Teagan Croft (right) who portrays her in the film. Photo: Instagram @jessicawatson_93

Is Jessica Watson married?

In 2021, tragedy struck when Jessica Watson's boyfriend of ten years, Cameron Dale, 29, died six weeks after suffering a catastrophic stroke. The pair had met at Hamilton Island's Race Week in 2011, the year after Jessica's solo circumnavigation. Like Jessica, he was a passionate sailor and had spent days trying to meet her. At the time of Cameron Dale's death, Jessica had been acting as a consultant on the True Spirit movie and continued to do so after his passing. However, she points out that she was not heavily involved in the shooting of the movie, "Because obviously, I was with Cam in an ICU (Intensive Care Unit)." On Instagram, she wrote, "On Monday, 30 August 2021 we lost our Cam – my long-term partner in every aspect of life and planned future. ... Cam and I have been inseparable since 2011, our shared world centered on messing about on boats. Describing what Cam means to me is impossible – everyone who knows us understands how much we simply loved each other. ... Being Cam's 'Jess' is the role I'm most proud of." Just over a year later, The Weekend Australian Magazine wrote an article about her loss. In it, she stated, "I've been called courageous for my sailing exploits – but the courage it's taken to get through this is incomparable." Tragically, Jessica Watson's boyfriend of ten years, Cameron Dale, passed away in 2021 after suffering a severe stroke. Photo: Facebook Jessica Watson

The Real Story Behind Jessica Watson's Sailing Journey in Netflix’ 'True Spirit'

How true is Netflix' retelling of how Jessica Watson sailed her way into following her dreams?

Editor's Note: The following contains True Spirit spoilers.

True Spirit , out on Netflix now, tells the fascinating true story of Jessica Watson , an Australian sailor who circumnavigated the globe in 210 days back in 2009 – but how factual really is this retelling?

Circumnavigating the globe is impressive as it is, but in Jessica's case, she was also a 16-year-old girl. In a year when most 16-year-olds were planking and doing the stanky leg, Jessica was sailing around the world solo. Earlier this month, Netflix premiered True Spirit, starring Titans ' Teagan Croft as Jessica Watson. The movie also features Cliff Curtis, Anna Paquin, and Josh Lawson. True Spirit gives its viewers an honest and inspiring look at a remarkable story of determination and grit while also being littered with hits from the time, like Empire of the Sun 's "Walking on a Dream," or "Geronimo" by Sheppard in a way that captures the essence of the early 2000s perfectly.

True Spirit tells the encouraging tale of a young woman, her mentor (Curtis), and her family (Paquin and Lawson portray Watson's parents, Roger and Julie, respectively). Beyond being a tale of hard work and courage, True Spirit illustrates the complicated process a parent must go through in letting a child gain independence and come into their own. Although it's a more arduous journey than most take, at its core, True Spirit is a story of what we can accomplish with the proper avenues of support, no matter how young. To this day, Jessica Watson is still one of the youngest people to circumnavigate the world and the youngest to sail the world unassisted, without stopping. Interestingly, according to the Australian Museum , Julie Watson saw Jessica as the least likely of her children to have become a sailor due to her shyness.

All that said, how much of True Spirit is true, and how much of it was Hollywood magic?

RELATED: First 'True Spirit' Images Show Jessica Watson's Harrowing Journey

Jessica Watson Already Had Plenty of Sailing Experience by 2010

As it turns out, quite a lot of it was true. True Spirit is based on the book of the same name, written by Watson, about her sailing journey, which began when she was about eight years old. Watson is one of four children born to Julie and Roger Watson, all of which took sailing lessons from a young age. The family even lived on a boat for several years, during which Julie Watson would read Jesse Martin's book about his journey sailing the world as a bedtime story (clearly had a strong influence). In a story without shortness of magnificence, Jessica spent ages 11-15 honing in on her craft. Jessica sailed 6000 ocean and 6000 coastal miles while acquiring numerous sailing qualifications. She would join the crew of several boats, gaining well-rounded experience in sailing.

By 16, she had decided to circumnavigate the world by herself. On October 18, 2009, she (literally) set sail on her boat, Ella's Pink Lady , a 34-foot Sparkman & Stephens yacht. In the process, she faced monstrous waves, storms, and understandable loneliness. She would sail 18,582 nautical miles, which, for those that don't know, is slightly longer than a mile on land by 0.1508 miles. Jessica documented her travels on her blog and by video, which would become well-known and still holds hundreds of comments.

The World Sailing Speed Record Council (WSSRC) would determine that Jessica did not technically sail the world because she fell short of the 21,600 nautical miles required by the Council for a sailor to rightfully claim they traveled the world. However, this determination did not seem to matter to the people of Australia, as her arrival home on May 15, 2010, was met with a pink carpet to match Ella's Pink Lady and crowds of admirers. In a twist of fate, a very young Teagan Croft was among one of the attendees of Jessica's return. In 2011, Jessica Watson was named Young Australian of the Year, and in 2012, Jessica received the Medal of the Order of Australia.

True Spirit details controversy and conflict with the media regarding her age, which was very accurate. The Watson family received criticism for allowing Jessica to take on the "Everest of sailing" with her limited experience and youth, even though she had been sailing for nearly a decade by the time she began this journey.

In a moment that displays authentic humility and an attitude that was far beyond her years at the time, Jessica did not see herself as a hero. She saw herself as an "ordinary person, who had a dream, worked hard at it and proved that anything really is possible."

What's Fiction in 'True Spirit'?

According to Entertainment Weekly , Julie and Roger were represented precisely as they were. However, two characters were prominent in the film but were more representations of different people. The first is Ben Bryant (portrayed by New Zealand's Cliff Curtis), Jessica's mentor and disgraced sailor who had lost a crew member while under his command. Ben is a supporting character who is nearly as present as the Watson parents on Jessica's trip. He helps guide Jessica by radio and offers encouragement from afar. In real life (and not mentioned in the movie), Jessica's parents were New Zealanders. She holds dual citizenship in Australia and New Zealand, making Curtis' prominent role almost like a homage to her heritage.

The second made-up character is a particularly inflammatory reporter played by Todd Lasance. Lasance's character, Craig Atherton is based on several reporters who criticized her journey and her parents' support of the trip as they viewed it as too dangerous for a child. The film shows a collision between the Ella's Pink Lady and a cargo ship during a test trip before she begins her voyage. This collision did happen, and in the film, it adds fuel to the fire of the negative press.

In terms of events conveyed in the film, several did not happen in Jessica's real-life journey. Two of them were particularly impactful, the first being stuck at sea with no wind for a week and the second being knocked unconscious by a frying pan during a storm. These made-up events do not take away from the peril of Jessica's journey, though, as there is a scene in which the Ella's Pink Lady is temporarily sunk 15 feet during a storm, and frighteningly, this is true and did happen.

For those looking to watch a movie about a young woman who takes on a Goliath in the form of massive ways and soul-crushing loneliness, True Spirit is currently streaming on Netflix.

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True Spirit, an Interview with Jessica Watson

By: Zeke Quezada, ASA Movies , women on the water

True Spirit , available only on Netflix, on February 3, 2023, captures the essence of sailing from the exhilarating sailing sequences to the abysmal loneliness to the harrowing storms. Reacquaint yourself with the story that captured the world’s attention when a teenager decided to attempt to become the youngest sailor to sail non-stop around the globe. You will feel the wind in your face, your palms will sweat when the storms roll in and spoiler alert, you might cry a little as well.

Jessica Watson sat down with American Sailing to discuss sailing, her adventure and True Spirit the film about her sailing expedition to be the youngest person to sail solo, non-stop and unassisted. True Spirt is only available on Netflix on February 3, 2023.

Jessica Watson: I certainly didn’t step off Ella’s Pink Lady and feel I’d had enough of sailing, if anything my love for it has grown tenfold. Although it is also something I’ve taken increasingly less seriously and I’m no great racing sailor. Since the voyage around the world I went on to other sailing challenges like skippering the youngest crew to compete in the Rolex Sydney to Hobart and in more recent years have enjoyed messing about in dinghy’s, a trailer

ABOUT THE FILM

True Spirit

Netflix Release Date | February 3, 2023

Synopsis | When the tenacious young sailor Jessica Watson (Teagan Croft) sets out to be the youngest person to sail solo, non-stop and unassisted around the world, many expect her to fail. With the support of her sailing coach and mentor Ben Bryant (Cliff Curtis) and her parents (Josh Lawson and Academy Award winner Anna Paquin), Jessica is determined to accomplish what was thought to be impossible, navigating some of the world’s most challenging stretches of ocean over the course of 210 days.

True Spirit is directed by Sarah Spillane, written by Sarah Spillane, Rebecca Banner and Cathy Randall with Debra Martin Chase, Susan Cartsonis and Andrew Fraser serving as producers. Bridget Webb, Vivien Turner, Stacy Clausen and Todd Lasance also co-star in this incredible true story of perseverance and human accomplishment that shows that you are only as big as the dreams you dare to live.

Director | Sarah Spillane

Writers | Sarah Spillane, Rebecca Banner, Cathy Randall

Based On the book by Jessica Watson

Producers | Debra Martin Chase, Susan Cartsonis, Andrew Fraser

Cast | Teagan Croft, Cliff Curtis, Bridget Webb, Vivien Turner, Stacy Clausen, Todd Lasance, with Josh Lawson and Anna Paquin

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Where Is ‘True Spirit’s Jessica Watson Now? All About The Real Sailor’s Life, Work, And Net Worth

“I’m just an ordinary girl who believed in her dream.”

Jessica was born in Australia and grew up sailing, but she never saw herself as someone who would sail around the world . Critics doubted her ability to complete the trip, but she proved them wrong and made international headlines. The Prime Minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd, even deemed her an “ Australian hero ” upon her return.

“I’m just an ordinary girl who believed in her dream,” Jessica said in a speech . “You don’t have to be someone special, or anything special, to achieve something amazing. You just have to have a dream, believe in it, and work hard.”

But what has Jessica experienced since her trip? Women's Health has collected all the details, plus some more info about the film:

She’s 29 years old.

Jessica was only 16-years-old when she started her voyage around the world on October 18, 2009. She was born in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia on May 18, 1993.

Her parents are originally from New Zealand, and the sailor has dual citizenship in both countries . She is the second of four children, with an older sister, Emily, and two younger siblings–her brother Tom, and her sister Hannah.

Since her voyage, Jessica has gone back to living a pretty normal life, but she still sails and assisted with the making of True Spirit . In a recent podcast interview , Jessica said that while there’s some “movie magic,” the film is mostly “scarily accurate” to what she experienced while at sea.

She grew up on the water, literally.

Jessica began sailing at 8 years old . In fact, her family actually lived on a 16-meter cabin cruiser for five years when she was young, according to the Australian Museum . When Jessica was 11, her mother read her Lionheart by Jesse Martin while aboard their family’s boat.

The book detailed Jesse Martin’s experience on his own solo sailing journey across the world. This moment in her life inspired Jessica to work to make the voyage herself before her 17th birthday .

In the years leading up to her solo voyage, Jessica completed 6000 coastal miles, and 6000 ocean miles in preparation , according to the Australian Museum. She also crewed on many different vessels, including acting as a skipper (or captain) on a crew sailing across the Tasman sea between Australia and New Zealand.

Jessica has an MBA.

Growing up on a boat and later, a double-decker bus , Jessica was homeschooled for much of her life . But after her voyage around the world, she took a few years off from school.

By 2017, she received her MBA from the Australian Institute of Management. In a blog post she posted around the time of her graduation, she wrote that she aimed for her education to give her a path toward working with youth.

Jessica currently works as a public speaker and consultant.

Prior to the completion of her MBA, Jessica was a youth ambassador for the United Nations Food Program , where she worked with refugees from Syria and Lebanon.

Jessica currently works at Deloitte as a management consultant for their Human Capital team. She also regularly does public speaking at corporate events and conferences. She covers topics on resilience, harnessing fear, and managing risk .

Her partner died of a stroke.

In August 2021, Jessica lost her longtime partner , Cameron Dale, to a stroke.

The couple met in 2011 during an Australian sailing race called the Sydney to Hobart Campaign , and started dating shortly after. Cameron was just 29 when he died. “Being Cam’s ‘Jess’ is the role I’m most proud of,” said Jessica in an Instagram caption of a memorial post for Cameron.

Jessica now spreads awareness of early signs of stroke on her Instagram page. She has a post about Cameron’s stroke pinned at the top of her profile , and has “#checkyourbloodpressure” written in her bio.

The film True Spirit will also include a memorial dedication to Cameron .

Ben Bryant didn’t actually exist.

In True Spirit , viewers meet a character named Ben Bryant, who is played by Cliff Curtis. Ben is Jessica’s mentor in the film, and helps her in the moments leading up to, and during her voyage around the world.

His character is actually based on a group of people, rather than a specific person. In an Instagram post from last month, Jessica wrote that “Ben” is one of her favorite things about the film.

“While there are so many who so deserve their own character @cliffcurtis_ has beautifully captures the spirit of these men who were so determined to see a young girl take on the world and the way they are some of my best mates,” she wrote.

Jessica has written two books.

After speaking about her struggle with dyslexia as a child , Jessica went on to write two books of her own . She published True Spirit , the memoir detailing her voyage around the world, in September 2010–just a few months after completing her trip. The book is mostly a collection of blog posts she wrote while aboard her boat, Ella's Pink Lady .

True Spirit: The True Story of a 16-Year-Old Australian Who Sailed Solo, Nonstop, and Unassisted Around the World

In the preface, Jessica clarifies that some of the blog posts are edited or expanded upon, but it is mostly the original material. The book details the conditions of Jessica’s voyage, as well as parts of her life that led to the journey.

Indigo Blue by Jessica Watson

In 2018, Jessica penned a second book, Indigo Blue . This book is a novel for elementary schoolers, and tells the story of Alex, a high school girl who moves to Boreen Point, Australia and begins restoring a yacht. In an Instagram post she made shortly before the book was published, Jessica wrote that she hoped the book would inspire young girls to “fall in love with sailing.”

She speaks to audiences about her experience and has been on podcasts.

Since her voyage, Jessica has maintained a pretty private life. However, her public appearances mostly take the shape of inspiring speeches or podcast interviews .

In 2014, she gave a TEDx Talk called “Sail Away” which details all of the preparation that went into her voyage–from learning to stitch up sails to using the stars to navigate. In her most recent podcast appearance on the Australian podcast I’ve Got News For You , she also recounted her voyage and life.

“Sailing is something I’ve done over the years [since my voyage] but it’s something I take less seriously [now],” she said in the interview. “These days I actually have a sensible career. A desk job.”

Jessica is finding joy in her family.

As one of four siblings, Jessica’s family is very important to her. She mentioned in a recent interview that although the death of Cameron is the hardest thing she’s gone through in her life, she is getting by with the help of family and friends.

“My siblings, (it goes without saying that this includes siblings in law), your company and support are amazing,” Jessica wrote in an Instagram post reflecting on Cameron’s death.

It seems all of Jessica’s siblings are married –she’s posted about her siblings Emily and Tom’s weddings . Her younger sister, Hannah, also just welcomed a daughter in December 2022 . In an Instagram story commemorating the occasion, Jessica mentioned it was her second niece .

What is her net worth?

Between her books, job and Netflix documentary , Jessica has a few sources of income–so it’s unclear exactly how much she’s worth. Various sites put her total net worth anywhere between $1 million and $15 million . According to Glassdoor , the average salary for Jessica’s job is around $98,000 per year.

Catch True Spirit streaming on Netflix now.

Olivia Evans (she/her) is an editorial assistant at Women’s Health . Her work has previously appeared in The Cut and Teen Vogue . She loves covering topics where culture and wellness intersect. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, running, and watching rom-coms.

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Is True Spirit a true story? Where Jessica Watson is now and what she did after breaking sailing record

True spirit focuses on the remarkable story of a teenage sailor.

True Spirit. Teagan Croft as Jessica Watson in True Spirit. Cr: Netflix ?? 2023

True Spirit , Netflix’ s latest biopic, tells the story of Jessica Watson, an Australian teenager who at the tender age of 16-years-old attempted to sail alone, non-stop and unassisted around the world.

The new film , which has recently appeared on the streaming platform, follows her harrowing journey of sailing 23,000 nautical miles around the globe in eight months, a feat no other 16-year-old had previously accomplished.

But is True Spirit a true story – and where is Jessica Watson now? Here’s everything you need to know.

Is Netflix’s True Spirit a true story?

True Spirit. Teagan Croft as Jessica Watson in True Spirit. Cr. Julian Panetta/Netflix ?? 2023

True Spirit is a remarkable true story, based on the real-life exploits of Jessica Watson.

At the age of 16, Watson set sail on a 10-metre vessel from Sydney, Australia, on 18 October 2009, returning on 15 May 2010, three days before her 17th birthday.

During the 210 days at sea, Watson experienced gale force winds, months of solitude and swells of up to 12m in height and had to repair the boat and equipment during her voyage.

She completed her circumnavigation, but her record of being the youngest sailor to do so is unofficial, due to discrepancies surrounding the exact distance she travelled in nautical miles.

More from Film

In an interview at the time, Watson said: “I wanted to challenge myself and achieve something to be proud of. And yes, I wanted to inspire people.

“I hated being judged by my appearance and other people’s expectations of what a ‘little girl’ was capable of. It’s no longer just my dream or voyage. Every milestone out here isn’t just my achievement, but an achievement for everyone who has put so much time and effort into helping getting me here.”

Watson was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in 2012 for service to sailing and to youth through the achievement of sailing solo and unassisted around the world, and as a role model for young Australians.

Who stars in True Spirit?

True Spirit. (L to R) Josh Lawson as Roger Watson, Anna Paquin as Julie Watson and Teagan Croft as Jessica Watson in True Spirit. Cr. Julian Panetta/Netflix ?? 2023

Titan ’s Teagan Croft takes on the role of Watson in True Spirit , while True Blood ’s Anna Paquin plays her mother, and House of Lies ’ Josh Lawson plays her father.

Avatar: The Way of Water ’s Cliff Curtis plays her sailing coach, Ben.

Of taking on the role, Croft said: “Playing Raven on Titans , it’s purple hair, very sullen.

“And the [ True Spirit ] producers needed to double-check that I wasn’t like that in real life, that I’d be able to play Jess. I cracked a couple jokes, made a couple remarks, and they saw I’d be able to pull off perky. It’s much more in my wheelhouse.

“And being able to act in my own accent was something I hadn’t had the opportunity to do before. It was nice to have that burden lifted.”

More on Netflix

Croft added that she and Watson met in person for dinner and ahead of filming and even went sailing.

Croft said: “It was so weird and awkward at first. I felt a weird guilt, like, ‘Hello, I’m playing you.’ But she was so lovely about it, and we get on really well now.”

Where is Jessica Watson now?

After her oceanic adventure, Watson became a youth ambassador for the United Nations Food Programme, where she worked with refugees from both Lebanon and Syria.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bl-VmhvjtNi/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

She went on to achieve an MBA from the Australian Institute of Management.

Watson currently works as a management consultation for Deloitte’s Human Capital team.

She’s also a public speaker on topics such as harnessing fear, resilience and managing risk.

How can I watch True Spirit?

True Spirit is now streaming on Netflix.

Jessica Watson's historic solo sail hits the screen in Netflix's True Spirit

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An emergency warning is issued for McArthur River at Borroloola. Likely to peak Thursday afternoon. For the latest, search on ABC Emergency

Teagan, in character as Jessica Watson, onboard her ship as she uses her walkie talkie.

In 2010, Jessica Watson became the youngest person to sail around the world solo, non-stop and unassisted.

At just 16, the Queensland schoolgirl spent 210 days at sea battling six-metre swells before pulling into Sydney Harbour where she was met by thousands of supporters and hailed an Australian hero by then-prime minister Kevin Rudd.

One of those cheering fans was a then six-year-old Teagan Croft, who would go on to play the teenage sailor in Netflix's new film about Watson’s remarkable journey.

'It's all still so vivid and real'

Directed by Sarah Spillane and based on Watson's 2010 memoir of the same name, True Spirit charts Watson's journey around the globe, including the media backlash she received and worldwide attention her pursuit attracted.

Now 18, Australian actress Teagan Croft (HBO's Titans) stars as Watson, with Academy Award winner Anna Paquin (True Blood) and Australian actor Josh Lawson (Hoges: The Paul Hogan Story) playing her parents who come under fire for letting their teenage daughter hit the high seas by herself.

Teagan, as Jessica Watson, waves to her wave as she sets sail on the Pink Lady.

Watson, now 29, told ABC News it was surreal to look back on her historic achievement as an adult.

"It's odd, right? It's weird. I'm a completely different person. So much has happened and so much time has passed," she said.

"At the same time, it's all still so vivid and real. So it feels like a million years ago, but also yesterday at the same time."

Croft's audition was the first director Sarah Spillane watched in her search for a lead. And the filmmaker says she set a "high benchmark" that was never matched.

Jessica's pink boat pulls up at a dock while thousands of people watch on.

While Croft was already familiar with Watson's story and experienced that historic moment at Sydney Harbour herself, she said the filming process gave her a greater understanding of how challenging the voyage was.

"Being reintroduced to it and learning so much, just all of the details about how big the waves were and how intense the backlash was to begin with – there's just so much about the story I didn't know that just makes it all the more impressive and inspiring," Croft said.

"What I've always loved about Jessica's journey is that she's not the youngest girl to be a solo sailor. She is the youngest solo sailor. It's not a gendered thing.

"I think that's what's so unique, that it's just such an inspirational story.

"And yes, it's led by a woman and a young woman, but it's inspirational, no matter her age, no matter her gender. And I think that is what is most powerful."

'Just make it authentic'

With Elvis and Blonde bagging Oscar nominations , biopics are big business in Hollywood , but Croft says imitating Watson completely was never the goal.

"What was really nice is we had a big sit-down meal — Sarah, Jess and I — right before filming began, and we had a big chat about how we wanted to create a character from the ground up, heavily inspired by Jess but not a mimic of her," she said.

"And Jess was so great about saying, 'Don't worry about all the details and minutiae. Just make it real and make it authentic.'"

Tegan and Jessica smile for a photo on set with a pink sailing ship docked in front of a blue green screen behind them.

Spillane said Watson was "very open and had a great understanding of the filmmaking process in the sense that she was very flexible".

"This is based on her true story," Spillane said.

"The journey itself is very true to what she did.

"But certain character aspects, such as her mentor, are fictitious and are based on several advisers that Jessica worked with and, to be honest, my own mentor Jack Thompson."

Just like Watson's solo navigation, much of True Spirit is scenes of Croft alone on her boat as she attempts to weather not just storms, but total isolation, which is only made worse when there's no wind and she's stranded at sea for days at a time.

Teagan Croft, as Jessica Watson, crawls on the floor of her boat as water gushes in during a storm.

Spillane has known Watson personally since 2014, when she began her research for True Spirit. She said the film's release came at an "interesting" time.

"We've just come out of COVID," she said.

"I think a lot of people can really resonate with some of the themes … such as this sense of isolation that Jessica endured during her journey.

"Especially for a young person and how one not necessarily overcomes but deals with loneliness and isolation and being somewhat disconnected from the rest of the world."

Watson's story goes global — again

True Spirit is now screening in theatres, but it will reach a much greater audience next week when it begins streaming on Netflix.

"They are releasing this to 190 countries in over 30 languages at the same time. That's something that just wouldn't have happened before the existence of companies like Netflix," Spillane says.

"So many people around the world can access this story, which is very true to when Jessica did make this trip and accomplish this incredible circumnavigation.

"It did attract the attention of people throughout the world because there is something profoundly universal and global about what she did that I think anyone can relate to."

It is a sentiment echoed by Croft.

"I think that there's so much rich Australian history that we don't really tell as much, and I think we're starting to and I think that's really fun," she said.

'I'm actually not quite sure what to think or feel about it'

Teagan, as Jessica, stands on her boat and stretches her arms out to feel the rain on her skin.

For Croft, she's keen to tackle more biopics and name-checks Dolly Parton ("I do a cracker impression"), but Watson waves off the idea of giving her solo voyage another go.

"You can't beat your own youngest record," she said.

"But it actually has had quite an impact on me in a way that I really didn't expect."

In 2021, Watson's partner of 10 years, Cameron Dale, died six weeks after suffering a catastrophic stroke .

"Hearing Teagan [Croft] say these things about how the world's really tough, but it's also really beautiful, and seeing that play out and talking about how you can be really vulnerable but also really strong is really unnerving and quite incredible for me, currently, and quite inspiring," Watson said.

"It's kind of strange, and I'm actually not quite sure what to think or feel about it. But it definitely is kind of making me go, 'Wow,' and sort of almost be a bit re-inspired."

Watson is still modest about her achievements and having the story of her life hit the big screen.

"It really is absolutely extraordinary," she said. "I mean, this stuff, I don't think it's going to happen again for me, that's for sure."

"It could happen to you again," Croft said.

"Who knows what you're going to do."

True Spirit is in cinemas now and is available to stream on Netflix from February 3.

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Digital edition

Jessica Watson – the real sailor behind the True Spirit film

Laura Hodgetts
February 3, 2023

Whilst the new Netflix True Spirit movie was being filmed, celebrating Jessica Watson's real-life teenage solo, non-stop global circumnavigation, the 29-year-old was battling her biggest-ever challenge ashore.

“Generally, I actually am quite a risk-averse person, and don’t like doing crazy things, I know that’s really hard to believe.”

Thirteen years ago, in 2010, Jessica Watson arrived in Sydney, having sailed solo, non-stop around the world aged 16.

Now, as a film inspired by her adventure, True Spirit , is released on Netflix, Jessica shares insight into how it compares to the reality of navigating some of the world’s most remote oceans, surviving seven knockdowns and 210 days alone at sea aboard S&S 34 Ella’s Pink Lady .

“It’s so strange for me. Because I really have no idea what it’s like to watch as someone else who’s not so close to the story. For me, I almost can’t get past being so close to it, and then not really being able to watch it like a movie. “I love so much of what they’ve done with it. It’s really cool to see the sport of sailing have this showcase, and hopefully, there are a lot of moments in the film that will really make people understand what is so amazing about sailing.”

Jessica Watson, 16, crossing the finishing line of her unassisted solo voyage around the world in her yacht Ella’s Pink Lady at Sydney Harbour May 15, 2010. Credit: REUTERS/Daniel Munoz/Alamy

Jessica Watson on the accuracy of the film?

“It has moments where it kind of jumps out and I think ‘Oh my gosh, yes. That’s exactly what it was’, like, in an expression or view in a sequence or a scene. But of course, there’s movie magic involved as well. “There are some details that certainly don’t follow the reality, and sailors will, no doubt, pick them up. The big storm scene where the boat’s underwater for quite some time in reality, wasn’t that dramatic. But in that moment, it certainly felt like it. So maybe it’s sort of true to the feeling behind it.”

Repairs on board is one area the film isn’t quite so accurate on.

“There’s quite a leak in the movie that it looks like I’m fixing with blu-tack. In reality there was nothing major, which again, was a real testament to the preparation behind it and a lot of things going right; a lot of conservative decisions. “There were torn sails, of course, that needed a bit of repair on the way, a solar panel that was warped in from the impact of a knockdown , which limited my power a little bit, and I had to replace the wind generator, and a fuel pump towards the end of the trip. “I was running the engine for a little bit of power as required, when the wind and sun weren’t doing their thing. The important thing is there was nothing catastrophic.”

Jessica Watson, 16, crossing the finish line of her unassisted solo voyage around the world in her yacht Ella's Pink Lady S&S (Sparkman and Stephens) 34 at Sydney Harbour.

Jessica Watson, 16, aboard Ella’s Pink Lady S&S (Sparkman and Stephens) 34 at Sydney Harbour. Credit: Christophe Launay/DPPI/Alamy

With the benefit of hindsight, Jessica would advise her younger self to go ahead, with provisos.

“People often ask, ‘Would you do it again?’ And I always do make it very clear that I would, but it’s with that boat and the way she was set up. “It’s really that boat and the way she was set up that got me there safely. There’s absolutely no doubt about it. “Without those conditions, and the preparation that was in place, I absolutely wouldn’t do it. It really was about that boat and the setup.”

Jessica is the second of four children of New Zealander couple Roger and Julie Watson, who moved to Australia in 1987. A focus of the film is the support her parents gave their teenage daughter to undertake the voyage, set against the reality of her facing towering waves alone in the Southern Ocean , and a media storm when she ran into a 63,000 tonne ship at sea .

Jessica said: “Some of the characters in my family are actually pretty true to who they are. But the main kind of character in the movie, Ben, who’s the mentor and advisor is actually an amalgamation of a number of real people that kind of represents a whole team of people. “There’s not the opportunity in a movie format to give so many different people their own characters, so they had to go with this approach. “There are so many real moments represented by those people in this character. “I actually really love that mentor relationship Ben has with Teagon, who plays me, because that’s so important and such a big part of how it was possible; there were all these extraordinary people, predominantly men, who were so determined to see a young girl succeed.”

When asked about the long-term impact of her circumnavigation , Jessica says: “It’s absolutely a part of who I am, and I can’t imagine who I am without that adventure and everything that led to that.

“More widely, certainly I hope it has made people stop for a moment and think ‘hey, what can young people do when they put their minds to it?’

“I think it’s been part of a movement that a lot of people have put a lot of work into, supporting female sailors over recent years. And it’s been amazing to see such a change there and to see such a strong presence out in the water.

“There’s absolutely still a long way to go. But it’s really great to see that and representation of any kind helps in that regard.”

Talk of a film, inspired by Jessica’s book, True Spirit , has been on the cards since it was first published in 2010.

Jessica said: “There’s been discussions about making a film for years, but I don’t think I really ever believed it. “So it really is only in the last week when I’ve seen it on the big screen that it’s actually starting to sink in a little bit that ‘Oh, my goodness, this has actually happened’.”

Real heartbreak

Teagan Croft and Jessica Watson and the True Spirit premiere

Attending premieres with friends has been a highlight for Jessica, who has faced a huge personal tragedy recently with the loss of her partner Cameron Dale.

Cameron, who she met in 2011 whilst competing in the Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, died of a stroke in August 2021, aged 29, as the result of undiagnosed high blood pressure.

Jessica wrote in The Weekend Australian Magazine “I’ve been called courageous for my sailing exploits – but the courage it’s taken to get through this is incomparable.”

She told Practical Boat Owner ( PBO) : “For us it completely came out of nowhere. It’s not something that’s on the radar for active young people; it’s the last thing on your mind to think about blood pressure or strokes. “And I suppose for me, it’s just a real moment to hopefully get that really simple message out there. To get the check. It’s such a simple thing you can do. And don’t dismiss it as something that might not impact younger people. “A lot of people ask if I was involved during the shooting of the movie. And actually, it’s not a tricky question to answer. Because obviously, I was with Cam in an ICU (Intensive Care Unit).”

Cameron Dale and Jessica Watson

Regular Cape 31 racing at weekends with a group of close friends has been a vital support.

“Cam and I met through the Sydney Hobart campaign, and probably actually knocked heads for quite a bit through that project. And then we got together at the end of it. Sailing was just the kind of core of our lives and something we absolutely did together. “Sailing has just been the most extraordinary and probably the best possible way to help with grief, you know, sailing with a bunch of people who were all Cam’s best mates and mine as well. “And that kind of environment on the boat and being part of that community and just being on the water, it’s good for focusing your head. window._taboolaSlots=window._taboolaSlots||[];window._taboolaSlots.push({"mode":"thumbnails-a-mid","container":"taboola-mid-article","placement":"Mid Article","target_type":"mix"}); “Sailing is definitely very special to me, now more than ever.”

Jessica describes dark days and suicidal thoughts and how family, friends and sailing, in particular, has pulled her through.

“A particular moment that stands out vividly is one of slight chaos after we’d just broken something.

“Full of adrenaline, I found myself no doubt looking like a dork in Cam’s oversized hat, furiously trying to bail water out of the boat, everyone laughing at me as waves dumped over me and straight back into the cabin.

“Perhaps it isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but I’m still savouring that moment and the revelation it gave me – a sense of being glad to be living.”

Working life

Jessica Watson

Day to day, Jessica has “a sensible desk job” as a manager at prestigious management consulting company Deloitte.

She said: “People are often surprised by that. But it was important for me to go back and challenge myself in different ways and give myself a life away from constantly being known as that 16 year old girl who circumnavigated. “I really love my role with Deloitte, one of the big four accounting firms in a management consulting team. It’s been really lovely to have some other challenges in my life and to keep sailing as something that’s absolutely the biggest part of my life, but something that’s a lifeline, hobby and passion, rather than day to day.”

Jessica was eight when her family first went to a sailing school. She particularly enjoyed messing about with trailer-sailers and sailing dinghies at her local club.

She said: “Mum and Dad wouldn’t claim to be sailors, but we sort of learned and got involved in boating and sailing as a family. “My younger sister doesn’t sail, although my older sister is the first mate on a superyacht so she’s absolutely a water person and an avid diver. And I have a brother as well who’s a geologist so he’s into more land based things.”

Officially there is no ‘youngest record’ recognised by the World Sailing Speed Record Council (WSSRC) in a bid to avoid ambitious parents sending ever-more-youthful offspring out to sea.

Jessica’s unofficial title was usurped in January 2012 by Dutch teenager Laura Dekker , who at 16 years and four months, was nearly eight months younger.

Jessica Watson, 16, crossing the finish line of her unassisted solo voyage around the world in her yacht Ella's Pink Lady at Sydney Harbour May 15, 2010

Jessica Watson, 16, at the finishing line of her unassisted solo voyage around the world in her yacht Ella’s Pink Lady at Sydney Harbour May 15, 2010. Credit: REUTERS/Daniel Munoz/Alamy

Addressing criticism that her logged circumnavigation of just over 24,000 miles did not venture far enough north of the equator for her journey to count as a true round-the-world sail or that the orthodromic distance sailed was just over 18,000nm, less than the 21,600nm required by the WSSRC, Jessica said: “It certainly doesn’t really worry me.

“I think that the biggest thing there for me is that there’s no official record, as obviously none of the bodies recognise the youngest records, which is perfectly understandable. So I don’t understand how there can actually be a debate about whether or not you comply with a rule that doesn’t exist. I sort of struggle to get past that.

“I think it is a shame that there are people who just really feel the need to nitpick because there’s no official rule. So there was no way to comply with an official rule.”

She added: “The route that I took, chosen with my team, was just about making it as safe as possible. It did put me in the right oceans at the right times, and it did the things that are generally recognised as sailing around the world. I’m very at peace with that.”

Film director Sarah Spillane spoke to Jessica “a lot” over many years, to get “under the cover of what the circumnavigation was about, the inspiration behind it and the sailing.”

Jessica said: “As time went on, it became more about practical questions, and details of the script, ‘Could this have happened’, ‘Would this have been possible?’ “I did a lot of work with the scriptwriters, then when shooting started, I obviously met everyone, which was amazing, and I got to see a bit of it. But it was then a case of stepping away and letting them get on with it.”

Beautiful moments

The film manages to capture some key memories for Jessica: “There are some really beautiful moments that I think do translate in the movie. There’s a particular starry scene that is pretty extraordinary and real to what it was like.

“The thing I never got bored of was just watching the boat dance along through the waves on a breezy day, with the spray flying. I suppose maybe I got used to it as there’s not a lot else to look at but I honestly never, ever got bored of watching Ella’s Pink Lady sail along.”

Another vivid moment was her finish in Sydney Harbour.

Jessica said: “I think there’s still part of that emotion with me today. There was the extraordinary overwhelmingness of it, when you’ve been so deprived of everything for so long. “It was just such a sensory overload, you’ve got colours and noises, and smells, and people and all these things you haven’t experienced for so long, all of a sudden, all at once. “It’s just an extraordinary amount to take in but in the most beautiful, positive, exciting way.”

She added: “Maybe there’ll be another big circumnavigation again one day, but it’ll be stopping along the way. For now, I think as long as sailing is the biggest part of my life still, that’s awesome for now.”

A teenage girl crossing the finish line of her unassisted solo voyage around the world in her yacht Ella's Pink Lady at Sydney Harbour May 15, 2010

The finishing line of her unassisted solo voyage was “an extraordinary amount to take in but in the most beautiful, positive, exciting way.” Credit: REUTERS/Daniel Munoz/Alamy

True Spiri t , now showing on Netflix, is described as: A tenacious Australian teen chases her dreams — and faces her fears — as she sets out to become the youngest person to sail solo around the world. Teagan Croft stars with Cliff Curtis, Josh Lawson and Oscar winner Anna Paquin in this inspiring drama based on a true story.

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This article was updated to clarify that Jessica Watson logged just over 24,000 miles on her voyage, but the orthodromic distance sailed was just over 18,000nm, less than the 21,600nm required by the WSSRC.

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Jessica Watson Now: Where is the Sailor Today?

Netflix’s ‘ True Spirit ‘ is an adventure drama biopic that follows teenage sailor Jesse Watson’s journey around the globe as she attempts to set a world record at 16. The movie is based on the real-life sailor Jessica Watson, who became the youngest sailor to complete a solo, unassisted global circumnavigation between October 2009 and May 2010. Though her voyage was hurdled with dangerous challenges, she eventually completed it in 210 days, becoming an inspiration for millions worldwide. Now, if you’re wondering about Jessica’s adventures after she circled the world and what she’s up to nowadays, here’s what we found!

Who is Jessica Watson?

Born on May 18, 1993, in Gold Coast, Australia, Jessica Watson developed a passion for exploration and adventure at a young age. Apart from taking sailing lessons with her three siblings , she also lived with her family aboard a 16-meter cabin cruiser for five years. Furthermore, the Watsons temporarily lived on a purpose-built double-decker bus. However, the idea of sailing the world alone came to Jessica at 11, when her mother read to her German-Australian sailor Jesse Martin’s book, ‘Lionheart: A Journey of the Human Spirit.’

When Jessica turned 12, she became determined to become the youngest sailor to circle the world alone. Despite her father’s apprehensions, she trained hard for the next few years and officially announced her plans in 2009. Sadly, most people and the media reacted quite skeptically to Jessica’s mission, wondering how she would pull off a grueling non-stop journey of about 23 000 nautical miles without any help or significant experience.

The negativity toward the teenager’s campaign further increased when her boat, Ella’s Pink Lady , collided with a massive bulk carrier during a test run in September 2009. But regardless of this minor debacle and all the discouragement Jessica faced, she took assistance from her mentors to repair the boat and prepared to set sail. On October 18, 2009, Ella’s Pink Lady departed the Sydney Harbor, gradually charting the waters of the Pacific Ocean and passing New Zealand and Fiji.

In November of the same year, Jessica crossed The Equator, followed by the Kiritimati, and by January 2010, she passed Cape Horn. Unfortunately, she soon faced a severe storm and four knockdowns, but with her grit and determination, she overcame the challenge and proceeded to cross the halfway point of her journey a week later. The following month, she crossed the Prime Meridian, the Cape of Good Hope, and Cape Agulhas before commencing her return toward Western Australia.

After crossing Cape Leeuwin in April 2010, Jessica faced terrible weather and suffered at least three knockdowns, one of which temporarily pushed her boat’s mast deep into the sea. Luckily, she escaped without severe damage or injury and continued her voyage’s last leg. Jessica returned to Sydney on May 15, 2010, after 210 days at sea, just three days before her 17th birthday.

The teenage sailor’s wondrous journey earned her global acclaim and numerous accolades, including the Spirit of Sport award from the Sport Australia Hall of Fame, an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in the Australia Day Honours List in 2012, and being named the Young Australian of the Year in 2011. Jessica was also the only sailor selected for “2010 Adventurers of the Year” by the National Geographic Society.

Where is Jessica Watson Today?

Following her global voyage, Jessica Watson participated in several prestigious yacht races in Australia, such as the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race in December 2011. Aged 18, she was the youngest competitor and won the Jane Tate Award for the first female skipper, with her team coming in second. The same year, Jessica was appointed as a Youth Representative for the United Nations World Food Programme, under which she traveled to remote Laos and refugee camps in Jordan and Lebanon.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jessica Watson (@jessicawatson_93)

After completing her Diploma of Project Management from the Australian Institute of Management, Jessica completed her Bachelor of Arts in Media and Communication with a distinction in 2016. A year later, she received her Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the Australian Institute of Management. In 2015, Jessica co-founded Deckee, a boating app for maps and weather reports, and worked as the Communications Manager till December 2017.

The talented sailor joined Deloitte as a Consultant in 2018 and is currently working as a Corporate Speaker and a Human Capital Management Consultant with the company. Interestingly, Jessica struggled with dyslexia early on, yet she has still authored two novels. This includes ‘True Spirit: The Aussie Girl Who Took on the World,’ which details her global circumnavigation adventure, and ‘Indigo Blue,’ an adventure fiction novel for young adults. In 2022, Jessica was inducted into the Australian Sailing Hall of Fame.

On the personal front, Jessica faced a heartbreaking tragedy in August 2021 when her long-term partner, Cameron Dale , died from a sudden stroke. The couple had met in 2010 at the Sydney to Hobart race and had been together ever since. Jessica struggled a lot while coping with Cameron’s loss, and to deal with her profound grief, she turned to their shared love: sailing.

Now 29, she resides in Melbourne, Australia, and has built a successful life surrounded by family and friends. Jessica assisted the Netflix movie team at every step of the production process and hopes her story helps young people believe they can achieve anything. In addition to the biopic, she was featured in a documentary named ‘210 Days.’

Read More: Roger and Julie Watson: Where are Jessica Watson’s Parents Now?

The Inspiring Journey of Jessica Watson, Australia’s Youngest Solo Sailor

In a world where adventure knows no bounds, one young Australian sailor decided to challenge the sea, defying all odds and embarking on a journey that would make history. Meet Jessica Watson, Australia’s youngest solo sailor , who navigated the uncharted waters and captured the hearts of millions with her awe-inspiring journey.

At just 16 years old, Jessica set out to sail around the globe single-handedly, a feat that seemed impossible for someone her age. Battling treacherous storms, sleep deprivation, and loneliness, Jessica proved that determination and passion know no age limit. Her remarkable voyage not only showcased her incredible strength and resilience but also served as a beacon of hope and inspiration for young dreamers around the world.

With her daring adventure, Jessica Watson became an instant sensation, capturing the attention of the nation and beyond. Her story is a testament to the power of following your dreams, and her unwavering spirit serves as a reminder that age is just a number when it comes to achieving the extraordinary.

Join us as we delve into the captivating journey of Jessica Watson and discover the incredible milestones she achieved on her solo sailing odyssey.

Early life and passion for sailing

Jessica Watson’s love affair with sailing began at a young age. Growing up on the Sunshine Coast of Australia , she was drawn to the water and spent countless hours exploring the ocean on her family’s yacht. It was during these early years that Jessica developed a deep connection with the sea and a burning desire to explore beyond the horizon.

As she honed her sailing skills, Jessica’s passion for adventure grew stronger. She devoured stories of daring sailors who conquered the world’s oceans and dreamed of embarking on her own solo journey. Her unwavering determination and thirst for adventure set her apart from her peers and laid the foundation for her future accomplishments.

The decision to embark on a solo sailing journey

At the age of 14, Jessica made the audacious decision to sail around the world alone. While many doubted her abilities and questioned the sanity of such a dangerous endeavor, Jessica remained steadfast in her belief that she could accomplish the impossible. It was this unwavering self-belief that fueled her determination to overcome any obstacles that stood in her way.

With the support of her family and a team of experienced mentors, Jessica started to plan her epic voyage. Countless hours were spent studying charts, refining her sailing skills, and ensuring she had the necessary equipment to navigate the treacherous waters ahead. Jessica’s meticulous preparation was a testament to her commitment and served as a solid foundation for her upcoming adventure.

Preparation and training for the voyage

Preparing for a solo journey around the world is no easy task, especially for a teenager. Jessica knew that she had to be physically and mentally prepared for the challenges that lay ahead. She dedicated herself to rigorous training, both on and off the water, to ensure she was ready to face whatever the ocean threw her way.

Physical fitness played a crucial role in Jessica’s preparation. She embarked on a strict training regimen that included strength and endurance exercises, as well as learning vital survival skills. Additionally, she worked closely with her team to develop contingency plans for potential emergencies, ensuring she was equipped to handle any situation that arose during her voyage.

As the departure date drew near, Jessica’s excitement and nerves reached new heights. The support of her family, friends, and the entire Australian sailing community helped bolster her confidence and provided the encouragement she needed to embark on this historic journey.

Setting sail: Challenges and triumphs

On October 18, 2009, Jessica set sail from Sydney Harbour, marking the beginning of her extraordinary journey. As she ventured into the vast expanse of the open ocean, she faced a myriad of challenges that tested her strength and resolve.

Watson’s planned circumnavigation route was to start and end at Sydney and to pass near New Zealand, Fiji, Kiribati, Cape Horn , Cape of Good Hope, Cape Leeuwin and South East Cape. In accordance with the definitions for circumnavigations set out by the International Sailing Federation’s WSSRC, the equator must be crossed – this crossing was carried out near Kiritimati. However, the WSSRC criteria also stipulate that a global circumnavigation must have an orthodromic distance of 21,600 nautical miles – Watson’s journey did not meet this requirement.

One of the first obstacles Jessica encountered was the relentless Southern Ocean . The powerful swells and fierce winds pushed her to her limits, but she refused to give in. With each passing storm, Jessica’s resilience grew stronger, and she learned to navigate the treacherous waters with skill and precision.

Sleep deprivation was another constant battle for Jessica. Sailing solo meant that she had to be on constant alert, taking short naps throughout the day and night to ensure her safety. The sleepless nights took a toll on her both physically and mentally, but Jessica’s unwavering determination pushed her forward.

Despite the challenges she faced, Jessica also experienced moments of triumph and awe. The sight of breaching whales, breathtaking sunsets, and the sheer vastness of the open ocean filled her with a sense of wonder and gratitude. These moments of serenity and beauty served as a reminder of why she embarked on this incredible journey in the first place.

Navigating the open ocean: Lessons learned and personal growth

As Jessica sailed from one ocean to another, she encountered a myriad of experiences that shaped her as an individual and sailor. The solitude of the open ocean forced her to confront her fears and pushed her beyond her comfort zone. It was in these moments of solitude that Jessica discovered her true strength and resilience.

The isolation also provided Jessica with the opportunity for self-reflection and personal growth. Away from the distractions of modern life, she delved deep into her thoughts and discovered a newfound clarity and purpose. The vastness of the ocean became a canvas for introspection, and Jessica emerged from her journey with a deeper understanding of herself and the world around her.

Navigating the open ocean also taught Jessica invaluable lessons about adaptability and problem-solving. She encountered numerous mechanical failures and had to rely on her resourcefulness to fix them. Through trial and error, Jessica learned to think on her feet and find creative solutions to the challenges that arose.

Media attention and public support

News of Jessica’s daring voyage spread like wildfire, capturing the attention of the media and the public. Her journey became a source of inspiration and hope for people around the world. The media followed her every move, reporting on her triumphs and setbacks, and the public eagerly awaited updates on her progress.

Jessica’s story resonated with people of all ages, as it defied conventional expectations and showcased the power of chasing one’s dreams. Messages of support poured in from every corner of the globe, offering words of encouragement and admiration for her bravery. The outpouring of love and support served as a constant reminder to Jessica that she was not alone on her journey.

Accomplishing the goal: Celebrating Jessica’s achievement

After 210 days at sea, Jessica Watson returned to Sydney Harbour on May 15, 2010. The sight of her sailing into the harbor, greeted by cheering crowds and a flotilla of boats, marked the end of an incredible odyssey and the beginning of a new chapter in her life.

Jessica’s achievement was celebrated not only in Australia but around the world. She became the youngest person to sail solo around the globe, a title that would forever be etched in the annals of sailing history.

The Los Angeles Times reported Watson’s reason for her journey: “ I wanted to challenge myself and achieve something to be proud of. And yes, I wanted to inspire people. I hated being judged by my appearance and other people’s expectations of what a ‘little girl’ was capable of. It’s no longer just my dream or voyage. Every milestone out here isn’t just my achievement, but an achievement for everyone who has put so much time and effort into helping getting me here. “

Impact and legacy of Jessica Watson journey

Jessica Watson’s solo sailing journey had a profound impact on the world. Her story served as a powerful reminder that age is not a barrier to achieving greatness and that dreams can be realized with determination and perseverance. Young people around the world were inspired to chase their own dreams, no matter how audacious they may seem.

Beyond the personal impact, Jessica’s journey also raised awareness about the importance of preserving our oceans and the need for sustainable practices. Through her experiences at sea, she witnessed firsthand the effects of climate change and pollution on our planet. Jessica became an advocate for ocean conservation, using her platform to raise awareness and inspire others to take action.

Inspiring others to chase their dreams

The extraordinary journey of Jessica Watson serves as a testament to the power of following your dreams and pushing the boundaries of what is possible. Her unwavering spirit, determination, and resilience continue to inspire generations of adventurers and dreamers.

Jessica’s story reminds us that age is just a number when it comes to achieving the extraordinary. It is a reminder that we should never underestimate the potential within ourselves and that with passion, dedication, and a little bit of audacity, we can conquer uncharted waters and leave a lasting impact on the world.

So, let Jessica Watson’s journey be a rallying cry for all those who dare to dream big. Let her story be a testament to the power of the human spirit and a reminder that the greatest adventures often begin with a single step, or in Jessica’s case, a single sail.

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Jessica Watson OAM

Updated 11/06/21
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Readers note: This is an excerpt from the Trailblazers: Australia’s 50 Greatest Explorers exhibition, developed in 2015. This content was written as a brief biography on why this person was included in the exhibition.

When 16-year-old Jessica Watson sailed into Sydney Harbour on 15 May 2010, to become the youngest person to sail solo and unassisted around the world, she inspired a nation. Whether it was her youth, or that many had doubted her ability to succeed, more than 75,000 people, including the Prime Minister, and a vast flotilla turned out to welcome her home.

Jessica Watson was born on Queensland’s Gold Coast on 18 May 1993, the second of four children to Roger and Julie Watson. All four children took sailing lessons, but her mother claims that Jessica seemed the least likely to take it up, later describing her as a quiet, shy child who didn’t like adventures.

Jessica Watson sailing. The youngest person to sail solo and unassisted around the world.

For five years, the Watsons lived on board a 16-metre cabin cruiser. During this time, Watson‘s mother chose as a bedtime story Jesse Martin’s book about his solo circumnavigation on Lionheart . It planted a seed in Jessica’s 11-year-old imagination that soon grew into an ambition.

Over the next four years, she completed 6000 coastal miles and 6000 ocean miles sailing experience, and gained qualifications in offshore safety, diesel engines, radio operation, sea and safety, First Aid and yacht master theory. She crewed on a number of vessels, including acting as skipper crossing the Tasman Sea.

Her departure generated much controversy. Perhaps it was because someone so young was setting off alone on what many considered to be the Everest of sailing. The naysayers became even more strident when Watson’s yacht, Ella’s Pink Lady , lost its mast after colliding with a bulk carrier at night shortly after leaving Brisbane for Sydney.

With Ella repaired, Watson sailed out of Sydney on 18 October 2009, five months after her sixteenth birthday. Over the next 210 days, her boat rolled four times in an Atlantic storm, while the Pacific offered her glorious days surfing waves and enjoying the flight of albatross. Homework, maintenance and blogging (yes, social media had arrived) filled her spare time.

In 2011, Jessica Watson was awarded Young Australian of the Year and in 2012 the Medal of the Order of Australia for her service to sailing and as a role model for young Australians.

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Record-Breaking Sailor Jessica Watson Gets Netflix Biopic

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Netflix is setting sail with its lastest biopic about the remarkable true story of Jessica Watson, who at the age of 16 became the youngest person to sail solo, non-stop, and unassisted around the world. Around the Block filmmaker Sarah Spillane is onboard to direct the pic which is on based on Watson’s best-selling memoir, “True Spirit.” Spillane adapted the screenplay with Cathy Randall.

In 2009, Watson accomplished what many thought impossible, navigating some of the world’s most challenging stretches of oceans and surviving seven knockdowns while at sea for 210 days. She was met by the Prime Minister upon her arrival home, who declared her an Australian hero. In her speech, Watson countered that she didn’t consider herself a hero—just an “ordinary person, who had a dream, worked hard at it and proved that anything really is possible.” She was named Young Australian of the Year in 2011 and received an Order of Australian Medal in 2012 for service to sailing and as a role model for young Australians.

Watson will consult on the family-friendly Netflix feature, which is being produced by Debra Martin Chase ( Harriet , The Princess Diaries , Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants ) for Martin Chase Productions and Andrew Fraser ( Lion ) for Sunstar Entertainment. Executive producers are Shahen Mekertichian for Sunstar and Spillane.

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'Being Cam’s Jess is the role I’m most proud of.' Jessica Watson's partner has died aged 29.

Almost 12 years ago, the nation watched as 16-year-old Jessica Watson set sail around the world in her bright pink yacht, Ella’s Pink Lady.

After 210 days alone at sea, Watson sailed back into Sydney Harbour a national hero and the youngest person to complete a solo, unassisted and non-stop trip around the world.

"It really was such a special and unique time," Watson told Mamamia in 2019.

"There are still some parts that still remain incredibly vivid to this day and I really do treasure those memories."

Watch 16-year-old Jessica Watson set sail for her round-the-world voyage in October 2009. Post continues below.

Over a decade on, her voyage remains an inspirational moment in Australian history, particularly for young women and girls. But it didn’t come without criticism.

"I do very much understand where people were coming from… the whole story wasn’t necessarily told and people didn’t know about the preparations.

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"But at the same time, there’s so much criticism out there and everyone is quick to be a critic and I’m kind of okay with that."

Watson went on to be named Young Australian of the Year in 2011 for the bravery she showed during her solo voyage. But Watson said she wasn't exactly the bravest kid growing up.

"I think what people don’t necessarily realise or think of me is that I was quite a timid kid. Even when I decided to sail around the world, I was very fearful. It was actually the fact that I had this goal and wanted to do this, that I realised, well if I’m going to do this, I have to change," she said.

"In so many ways it [the voyage] feels like an age ago because so many things have happened during the years and I’ve changed so much."

Now 28, Watson has continued to make waves outside of the sailing world, having written two books, volunteered at refugee camps and even helped launch a boating app, Deckee.

She’s still sailing.

Twelve years on, Watson still loves sailing, only now she says it’s more of a hobby.

"I think people think I take it [sailing] quite seriously but really my favourite thing to do is to get out and have a bit of fun."

Back in 2019, Watson told Mamamia that she liked to spend her weekends on the boat with her friends and her boyfriend Cameron Dale, who she met while sailing and started dating in 2011.

"It’s a nice thing for us to share and to have in common," she said.

Her "indescribable grief" after her partner Cameron Dale's death

On Monday, the 28-year-old announced that Dale had passed away after suffering a "catastrophic stroke" six weeks earlier.

"On Monday, 30 August 2021 we lost our Cam – my long-term partner in every aspect of life and planned future," she wrote on Instagram on Wednesday.

"Cam passed away peacefully nearly six weeks after a catastrophic stroke. We’ll be forever grateful for the dedicated care he received at the Gold Coast University Hospital."

Watson went on to say that she and her 29-year-old boyfriend were "inseparable" and their "world centred on messing about on boats." "Describing what Cam means to me is impossible – everyone who knows us understands how much we simply loved each other." "Even while experiencing indescribable grief, I feel so grateful for the family, friends, and communities Cam has given me and the person I’ve become with him. I take enormous strength from having been so devotedly loved. The years of treasured memories offer enormous comfort."

"Being Cam’s 'Jess' is the role I’m most proud of," she concluded the post.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jessica Watson (@jessicawatson_93)

She’s chosen a very different career.

While Watson loves spending time on the water, when it came time to choose a career, sailing was the furthest thing from her mind.

"I was realising through study, and through how much I was enjoying it, that I wanted a career that really sort of pushed me in a different way."

So she decided to pursue a career in business and completed her Masters of Business Administration in 2017. In 2019, she was working as a management consultant for a Melbourne accounting firm.

"I’ve been looking for ways to challenge myself since the voyage and I found the best way to do it is to put myself out of my comfort zone."

She's kept herself busy.

In 2012, Watson took to the stage and competed on Dancing with the Stars.

"I thought it was really different and a real challenge and maybe I should give this a go," she said.

Watson ended up getting eliminated half-way through the season but she still says "it was an awesome experience and a lot of fun".

Since then, she's continued to push herself out of her comfort zone. Particularly, when she decided to write her second book, Indigo Blue.

"Writing my second book, which is a novel for young adults, was actually quite scary," Watson told Mamamia.

"I always thought this was something I wanted to do and you go around telling other people to do things that scare you, so you should probably be following your own advice."

Watson 's second book, which was published in 2018, brings together her love of sailing and adventure with the fairy tales she enjoyed as a kid.

"I wanted to share what I love about sailing, especially with young people, particularly young girls."

View this post on Instagram The most incredible thing just arrived in the post! Here's the advance reading copy of my new book. I absolutely love the draft cover and can't wait to share it. It's a little surreal seeing years of work finally turned into a real book! ???????????? A post shared by Jessica Watson (@jessicawatson_93) on Aug 31, 2017 at 11:34pm PDT

Writing a story about sailing also seemed fitting, as it was a book that inspired Watson to sail around the world.

"Mum used to read to me a lot as a kid because I’m dyslexic and that used to be a bit of a struggle. So she was constantly reading to me and the books she read were adventure stories, which clearly led to some of the thinking," she laughed.

She has been a Youth Ambassador for the United Nations.

After returning home from the voyage, Watson became a Youth Ambassador for the United Nations World Food Programme.

Her role isn’t as active these days but has taken her to "some pretty confronting places" from Laos to refugee camps in Jordan and Lebanon.

"I suppose the biggest takeaway from that is just how lucky we are and how much we have to appreciate here."

View this post on Instagram It's #worldfoodday today and I'm remembering the incredible meal I shared with #syrianrefugees in Jordan with @wfp_mena. We ate on the floor of a tin hut in a huge dusty refugee camp but I don't think l've ever had such delicious food. #zerohunger #worldfoodprogramme A post shared by Jessica Watson (@jessicawatson_93) on Oct 15, 2015 at 8:40pm PDT

After conquering the sailing world, writing world and even the dancing world, Watson doesn’t have any grand plans for the future, just yet.

"Right now I’m really enjoying sailing for fun, and enjoying my career."

In the meantime, the producers of the Oscar-nominated movie, Lion are currently working on a film adaption of Jessica’s story.

As for another voyage, Watson said, "I would absolutely love to sail around the world again, I’m not sure if I would do it solo next time."

"I always thought next time, I would be stopping along the way, and potentially with friends. Instead of it being non-stop and missing out on all of the beautiful places along the way."

This article was originally published in November 2019, and was updated on September 2, 2021.

Feature Image: Getty/Instagram@jessicawatson_93

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‘True Spirit’ Is ‘Scarily Accurate’ To What Actually Happened

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A new Netflix movie , True Spirit , tells the incredible story of a young Australian teenager named Jessica Watson, who decided she wanted to become the youngest person to sail around the world.

At just 16 years old, Jessica set out on her sailboat with the goal of sailing around the globe , non-stop and unassisted. Naturally, things aren’t seamless on her journey, and Jessica runs into some terrifyingly rough seas, along with some other challenges.

It’s understandable to have questions while watching this, including whether this story is real , and if so, how much of it is true . Here’s what the Netflix movie gets right , what the streamer added, and an update on where Jessica is today.

Yes, True Spirit is based on a true story.

The real Jessica Watson really did set sail around the world at age 16 back in 2010, and the film aims to capture and recreate her remarkable journey for viewers.

According to her website , Jessica sailed around some of the world’s most remote oceans, surviving seven knockdowns (when a boat tips over into the water), and 210 days alone at sea to become the youngest person to sail alone, nonstop around the world.

Jessica started a blog and wrote a book after her journey in 2010 called True Spirit , which the movie is based on. She also filmed a documentary while she was at sea, which was later narrated by Richard Branson.

Jessica really did travel the globe in her sailboat.

It sounds far-fetched, but all the major events in the film actually happened. So, understandably, when Jessica arrived back home, she got a lot of attention for her feat.

Jessica was inspired by the book Lionheart by Jesse Martin , who sailed the world solo, according to the Australian Museum . She spent years preparing for her journey, logging 6,000 coastal miles and 6,000 ocean miles, per the Australian Museum.

Jessica Watson is still alive today.

Jessica finished her journey around the world in May 2010, arriving home just shy of her 17 th birthday. She was later named Youth Representative for the United Nations World Food Program, and is a founding member of the marine start-up Deckee.com . She also has an MBA and has written a second book, a novel called Indigo Blue .

These days, Jessica works as a corporate speaker and management consultant in Deloitte’s Human Capital consulting team, according to her website. She’s currently 29 years old.

Jessica is played by actress Teagan Croft.

Teagan Croft, an 18-year-old actress from Australia, takes on the role of Jessica in the film. And the two actually seem pretty close, which makes sense consider the fact Jessica was involved in the making of the film.

Teagan posted an Instagram with Jessica, captioning it: "All my love to Jess, Sarah, and the hundreds of people who made this film possible... and my gorgeous little actor boat."

View this post on Instagram A post shared by teagan croft (@teagancroft)

Jessica says the movie very closely captures her experience.

Jessica appeared in a recent podcast, I've Got News For You, where she did an interview about the film and said the movie was pretty accurate. There’s some “movie magic,” but True Spirit is “scarily accurate” to what she experienced on her journey, she said.

In another Instagram , Jessica posted a video clip from the trailer and explains that "some of @teagancroft’s lines ring so true to me today - it’s a little unnerving in a lovely way."

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jessica Watson (@jessicawatson_93)

Not everything is 100 percent accurate.

The movie features a character named Ben Bryant, who is Jessica’s mentor in the movie . The fictional Ben helps young Jessica in the lead-up to her trip and as she sails around the world. But “Ben” is actually based on a group of people who helped Jessica, she shared on Instagram .

What does the film add to her story?

The movie helps bring Jessica’s story to life, and she seems happy to be affiliated with it. Jessica has repeatedly posted about True Spirit on Instagram, applauding the acting and filmmaking.

Catch the new film streaming on Netflix now.

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Meet the Adventurers of the Year: Circumnavigator Jessica Watson

Each day we will feature one of the 2010 Adventures of the Year here on our blog. Get to know them all in our photo gallery , then vote for your favorite for the People's Choice award—every day. You can even vote for a new favorite each day, if you can't pick just one. Photograph by Sergio Dionisio, Getty Images

The Circumnavigator

Jessica Watson sailed around the world, alone, as a teenager.

Before Jessica Watson steered her 34-foot yacht across four oceans, circling the globe without stopping once, her yacht had a collision with a 63,000-ton bulk carrier during the first night of a sea trial. Her boat, Ella’s Pink Lady , lost its mast. Her quest to sail around the world before her 17th birthday was already controversial, and the collision only seemed to strengthen the arguments against the young Australian—that she was too young, too inexperienced, and too immature. (These were also directed at Watson’s parents and two other young wannabe circumnavigators, siblings Zak and Abby Sunderland.) But Watson, who was raised on sailboats and is more poised than most, quietly returned to port, tended to her broken ship, and returned to sea. “Any doubts about whether I could cope mentally,” Watson later wrote, “vanished…I was stronger, more determined, and ready….”

On May 15, 2010, after 210 days, the smiling 16-year-old arrived in Sydney Harbor, the youngest single-handed, non-stop, unassisted circumnavigator of all time. This, too, would become controversial, for detractors took Watson to task for not sailing far enough into the Northern Hemisphere. No matter. Tens of thousands of fans came out to greet her triumphant return to Australia, while millions watched on national television. But perhaps more impressive were the numbers of people following her journey in real time, through her blog. Watson once wrote: “I could write about a fly landing on Ella's Pink Lady and someone would find it interesting.” And 447 encouraging comments followed. —By Ryan Bradley

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Sailing into Adventure: The Inspiring Journey of Jessica Watson

Jessica Watson is a renowned Australian sailor and author who gained worldwide recognition at the young age of 16 for her solo sailing voyage around the world.

Her journey was not only a testament to her courage and determination, but it also inspired people of all ages to pursue their passions and dreams.

Born in 1993 in Queensland, Australia, Jessica had a love for the ocean from a young age.

As a child, she spent countless hours sailing with her family and honing her skills on the water.

It was only a matter of time before she set her sights on a much bigger adventure – sailing solo around the world.

At the age of 16, Jessica set out on her epic journey aboard her trusty sailboat, “Ella’s Pink Lady”.

Despite facing challenges such as rough seas, equipment failures, and even a close encounter with a whale, Jessica persevered and completed her journey in just 210 days.

Jessica’s story quickly captured the world’s attention, and she became an inspiration to people everywhere.

True Spirit

“True Spirit” is the first book written by Jessica Watson, and it chronicles her solo sailing journey around the world.

In the book, Jessica provides a detailed and intimate account of her journey, from her preparations and training to the challenges she faced on the open sea.

Throughout the book, Jessica shares her thoughts, emotions, and experiences as she sails across the world’s oceans, encountering everything from rough seas and equipment failures to encounters with marine life and moments of incredible beauty.

Her journey takes her through some of the world’s most remote and beautiful locations, and she provides readers with a unique and inspiring perspective on the world around us.

In “True Spirit”, Jessica also shares her thoughts on the importance of courage, determination, and self-reliance.

She writes candidly about the moments when she felt afraid or uncertain, and the lessons she learned along the way.

Her words are both inspiring and empowering, and they offer a glimpse into the mindset of a young adventurer who is determined to push the boundaries of what is possible.

“True Spirit” has received critical acclaim for its inspiring and honest account of Jessica’s journey.

Many readers have been moved by her story, and have praised the book for its ability to motivate and encourage people of all ages to pursue their own dreams and adventures.

In addition to its inspiring message, “True Spirit” is also a well-written and engaging book that is filled with vivid descriptions of the world’s oceans and the challenges that Jessica faced while sailing solo.

The book provides a unique and intimate look at the world of sailing, and it is sure to captivate both experienced sailors and those who have never set foot on a boat.

Since its publication, “True Spirit” has become a classic in the world of adventure literature, and it has inspired countless people to pursue their own dreams and adventures.

Jessica Watson has become a role model for young people everywhere, and her journey and her book have inspired a generation of adventurers to follow in her footsteps.

Whether you’re a fan of sailing, adventure, or simply enjoy a good story , “True Spirit” is a must-read .

The book provides a captivating and inspiring look at one young woman’s journey, and the lessons she learned along the way.

If you’re looking for a fun and inspiring read, be sure to pick up a copy of “True Spirit”. You won’t be disappointed!

Jessica’s book has been adapted into a Netflix movie which premiered February 3 rd 2023.

True Spirit | Official Trailer | Netflix

Vincent Salera

Founder @ World's Best Story™ amplifier of creativity & fun!

World’s coolest yachts: S&S 34

August 5, 2021

We ask top sailors and marine industry gurus to choose the coolest and most innovative yachts of our times. This month Don McIntyre nominates S&S 34

The most innovative all-time classic is the S&S 34. As a class they appeared in 1967, a year before the first Golden Globe Race, and Ted Heath [then leader of the opposition and later UK Prime minister], won the 1969 Sydney Hobart in his Morning Cloud .

About 200 have been built since, including 130 in Australia where they are loved to this day. Only one has ever been lost at sea and they are renowned for their heavy weather performance.

Photo: Reuters/Alamy

In 2008, when deciding on a boat to support 15-year-old Jessica Watson’s dream to become the youngest ever, solo non-stop unassisted sailor, the choice was easy.

Jon Saunders in Perie Banou twice circumnavigated solo breaking 12 world records. David Dicks as a 17-year-old took the family S&S 34 Seaflight around solo nonstop, followed shortly after by Jesse Martin, also 17, solo and unassisted on Lionheart . Jessica on Pink Lady [then unofficially took] the record from him, and it still stands today!

S&S 34 stats rating:

Top speed: 7 knots LOA: 10.23m Launched: 1967 Berths: 6 Price: £22,000 Adrenalin factor: 20%

Don McIntyre

Australian explorer Don McIntyre finished 2nd in class in the 1990/91 BOC Challenge solo around the world race, recreated the Mutiny on the Bounty, and resurrected the Golden Globe Race in 2018.

He is currently organising the 2023 Ocean Globe Race, celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the original Whitbread, amongst other events.

If you enjoyed this….

Yachting World is the world’s leading magazine for bluewater cruisers and offshore sailors. Every month we have inspirational adventures and practical features to help you realise your sailing dreams. Build your knowledge with a subscription delivered to your door. See our latest offers and save at least 30% off the cover price.

COMMENTS

Where is Jess Watson's Boat Pink Lady Today? Update
A 10.23 meter-long model S&S 34 sailboat manufactured by the American company Sparkman & Stephens, Ella's Pink Lady was the vessel Jessica Watson used for her global voyage in 2009. Interestingly, it was the same design used by renowned sailors, including her childhood idol, Jesse Martin. Jessica's mentors, Don McIntyre and Bruce Arms ...
The true story of True Spirit: How Jessica Watson sailed around the
The true story of True Spirit: What really happened on Jessica Watson's solo sail around the world. EW breaks down fact vs. fiction in Netflix's inspiring movie based on the incredible true story ...
True Spirit vs. the True Story of Teen Sailor Jessica Watson
How big was Jessica Watson's boat? Her sailing vessel, named Ella's Pink Lady, was 10.23 meters long (33.6 feet). Built in 1993, the pink boat was a Sparkman & Stephens model S&S 34. French skincare brand Ella Baché sponsored the boat, hence the naming. Jessica Watson did not own the boat. It was lent to her by Australian adventurer Don McIntrye.
Jessica Watson shares how lessons learnt at sea helped her navigate the
When Jessica Watson sailed through the Sydney Heads in May 2010, in her small boat, Ella's Pink Lady, crowds lined the harbour foreshore for a rousing and emotional homecoming.
Jessica Watson: the true story of True Spirit star's voyage
Jessica Watson in the spotlight. In the film version of True Spirit viewers are introduced to the teenage Jessica Watson aboard her S&S 34 Ella's Pink Lady on a trial solo sail, when a violent ...
'True Spirit': The Truth Behind Jessica Watson's Sailing Journey
In a story without shortness of magnificence, Jessica spent ages 11-15 honing in on her craft. Jessica sailed 6000 ocean and 6000 coastal miles while acquiring numerous sailing qualifications. She ...
Interview with Jessica Watson
True Spirit, an Interview with Jessica Watson. True Spirit, available only on Netflix, on February 3, 2023, captures the essence of sailing from the exhilarating sailing sequences to the abysmal loneliness to the harrowing storms. Reacquaint yourself with the story that captured the world's attention when a teenager decided to attempt to ...
Where Is 'True Spirit's Jessica Watson Now? Net Worth & More
Various sites put her total net worth anywhere between $1 million and $15 million. According to Glassdoor, the average salary for Jessica's job is around $98,000 per year. Catch True Spirit ...
About
About — Jessica Watson. Jessica Watson (OAM) navigated some of the world's most remote oceans and survived seven knockdowns and 210 days alone at sea to become the youngest person to sail solo, nonstop around the world, aged 16. On completion of the voyage, Jessica was met by the then Prime Minister who declared her an Australian hero.
Is True Spirit a true story? Where Jessica Watson is now and what she
True Spirit, Netflix's latest biopic, tells the story of Jessica Watson, an Australian teenager who at the tender age of 16-years-old attempted to sail alone, non-stop and unassisted around the ...
Ella's Pink Lady
The Queensland Maritime Museum has become the home for Ella's Pink Lady, after the Queensland and Commonwealth governments jointly purchased the yacht. The Pink Lady is part of sailing history after Queenslander Jessica Watson made history as the youngest person to sail solo and unassisted around the world in 2009/10. Ella's Pink Lady is a Sparkman &
Jessica Watson's historic solo sail hits the screen in Netflix's True
In 2010, Jessica Watson became the youngest person to sail around the world solo, non-stop and unassisted. At just 16, the Queensland schoolgirl spent 210 days at sea battling six-metre swells ...
Jessica Watson
Jessica's unofficial title was usurped in January 2012 by Dutch teenager Laura Dekker, who at 16 years and four months, was nearly eight months younger. Jessica Watson, 16, at the finishing line of her unassisted solo voyage around the world in her yacht Ella's Pink Lady at Sydney Harbour May 15, 2010. Credit: REUTERS/Daniel Munoz/Alamy.
Jessica Watson Now: Where is the Sailor Today? Update
Netflix's ' True Spirit ' is an adventure drama biopic that follows teenage sailor Jesse Watson's journey around the globe as she attempts to set a world record at 16. The movie is based on the real-life sailor Jessica Watson, who became the youngest sailor to complete a solo, unassisted global circumnavigation between October 2009 and ...
The Journey of Jessica Watson, Australia's Youngest Solo Sailor
After 210 days at sea, Jessica Watson returned to Sydney Harbour on May 15, 2010. The sight of her sailing into the harbor, greeted by cheering crowds and a flotilla of boats, marked the end of an incredible odyssey and the beginning of a new chapter in her life. Jessica's achievement was celebrated not only in Australia but around the world.
Jessica Watson OAM
Jessica Watson OAM. Readers note: This is an excerpt from theTrailblazers: Australia's 50 Greatest Explorersexhibition, developed in 2015. This content was written as a brief biography on why this person was included in the exhibition. When 16-year-old Jessica Watson sailed into Sydney Harbour on 15 May 2010, to become the youngest person to ...
Record-Breaking Sailor Jessica Watson Gets Netflix Biopic
Netflix is setting sail with its lastest biopic about the remarkable true story of Jessica Watson, who at the age of 16 became the youngest person to sail solo, non-stop, and unassisted around the ...
Jessica Watson's life now, 12 years after her voyage.
Almost 12 years ago, the nation watched as 16-year-old Jessica Watson set sail around the world in her bright pink yacht, Ella's Pink Lady.. After 210 days alone at sea, Watson sailed back into Sydney Harbour a national hero and the youngest person to complete a solo, unassisted and non-stop trip around the world.
'True Spirit' Is 'Scarily Accurate' To What Actually Happened
A new Netflix movie, True Spirit, tells the incredible story of a young Australian teenager named Jessica Watson, who decided she wanted to become the youngest person to sail around the world.. At just 16 years old, Jessica set out on her sailboat with the goal of sailing around the globe, non-stop and unassisted.Naturally, things aren't seamless on her journey, and Jessica runs into some ...
Meet the Adventurers of the Year: Circumnavigator Jessica Watson
The Circumnavigator. Jessica Watson sailed around the world, alone, as a teenager. Before Jessica Watson steered her 34-foot yacht across four oceans, circling the globe without stopping once, her ...
Jessica Watson
Jessica Watson OAM (born 18 May 1993) is an Australian sailor who was awarded the Order of Australia Medal after attempting a solo circumnavigation at the age of 16. Although her voyage did not meet the distance criterion of 21,600 nautical miles (40,000 km) for a circumnavigation, Watson was nevertheless named the 2011 Young Australian of the Year and awarded the Medal of the Order of ...
Sailing into Adventure: The Inspiring Journey of Jessica Watson
At the age of 16, Jessica set out on her epic journey aboard her trusty sailboat, "Ella's Pink Lady". Despite facing challenges such as rough seas, equipment failures, and even a close encounter with a whale, Jessica persevered and completed her journey in just 210 days. ... Jessica Watson has become a role model for young people ...
World's coolest yachts: S&S 34
In 2008, when deciding on a boat to support 15-year-old Jessica Watson's dream to become the youngest ever, solo non-stop unassisted sailor, the choice was easy.

The true story of True Spirit : What really happened on Jessica Watson's solo sail around the world

Is Jessica Watson a real person?

Did she really attempt to become the youngest person to sail solo around the world?

Did she succeed?

Did all the characters in the movie exist?

Did her pre-voyage trial run really end in a massive collision?

Did she really leave her hairbrush at home?

Did she battle dyslexia during her journey?

Did she get knocked out during a storm?

Did her boat get stuck for a week without any wind?

Did a massive storm temporarily sink her boat?

Was her return to Sydney as epic as it appeared?

True Spirit (2023)

How did Jessica Watson prepare for her around-the-world journey?

How big was Jessica Watson's boat?

Did Jessica's boat collide with a Chinese cargo ship a month prior to her leaving on her around-the-world voyage?

Did Jessica receive a lot of pushback arguing that she was too young to sail solo around the world?

Is Cliff Curtis' character, Ben Bryant, based on a real person?

Did Jessica Watson forget her hairbrush?

What route did Jessica Watson take when she sailed around the world?

Did Jessica Watson's boat steer itself most of the time?

Is the reporter in True Spirit based on a real person?

Did Jessica perform the tradition of dunking herself in salt water when she crossed the equator for the first time?

Is Jessica Watson dyslexic?

What animals did Jessica Watson see on her journey?

What did Jessica Watson do while she was on the boat?

Does Jessica Watson have any siblings?

Did Jessica Watson get knocked out by a frying pan during a storm?

Did Jessica Watson's parents fly over in a small plane?

Did Jessica Watson have to perform repairs during her journey?

How many days was Jessica Watson alone at sea?

Did Jessica encounter the monster waves shown in the movie?

Was Jessica Watson's boat underwater?

How old was the real Jessica Watson when she completed her solo sailing trip around the world?

How did Jessica Watson handle being alone at sea for so long?

Did Jessica expect nearly a hundred thousand people to show up to welcome her home?

Did Jessica Watson chronicle her journey in a blog?

Did Jessica Watson's journey add up to an officially recognized circumnavigation?

Where can I see Jessica Watson's boat, Ella's Pink Lady ?

Where is Jessica Watson today?

Is Jessica Watson married?

The Real Story Behind Jessica Watson's Sailing Journey in Netflix’ 'True Spirit'

Jessica Watson Already Had Plenty of Sailing Experience by 2010

What's Fiction in 'True Spirit'?

True Spirit, an Interview with Jessica Watson

True Spirit

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Where Is ‘True Spirit’s Jessica Watson Now? All About The Real Sailor’s Life, Work, And Net Worth

She’s 29 years old.

She grew up on the water, literally.

Jessica has an MBA.

Jessica currently works as a public speaker and consultant.

Her partner died of a stroke.

Ben Bryant didn’t actually exist.

Jessica has written two books.

True Spirit: The True Story of a 16-Year-Old Australian Who Sailed Solo, Nonstop, and Unassisted Around the World

Indigo Blue by Jessica Watson

She speaks to audiences about her experience and has been on podcasts.

Jessica is finding joy in her family.

What is her net worth?

Is True Spirit a true story? Where Jessica Watson is now and what she did after breaking sailing record

Is Netflix’s True Spirit a true story?

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