Abby Sunderland 16 Year Old Sailor Missing At Sea

[Nawd]

A brave 16 year old who is missing at sea in an attempt to be the youngest to sail around the world.

Here is her blog:
_http://soloround.blogspot.com

And the latest on the search:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/outposts/2010/06/rescue-effort-underway-for-teenage-sailor-abby-sunderland-.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Outposts+%28Outposts%29

Poor girl, I hope she is ok.

 

[EdgeofDawn]

Re: Abby Sunderland 16 Year Old Sailer Missing At Sea

A brave 16 year old who is missing at sea in an attempt to be the youngest to sail around the world.

Here is her blog:
_http://soloround.blogspot.com

And the latest on the search:
_http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/outposts/2010/06/rescue-effort-underway-for-teenage-sailor-abby-sunderland-.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Outposts+%28Outposts%29

Poor girl, I hope she is ok.

I saw that a couple of hours ago. I hope they find her alive. :(

 

[cholas]

Re: Abby Sunderland 16 Year Old Sailer Missing At Sea

Thanks Dawn. I too hope she is ok.

I could be way off here, but have some thoughts as to the potential tragic situation. It wasn't too long ago that 'heros' wanted to be the 'first' to accomplish some dangerous feat. Unfortunately, in search for another 'hero'(read: distraction), being the 'youngest' to accomplish a dangerous feat has become popular of late. I personally think it's sad that parents would send/allow their kids to attempt such a perilous journey for a questionable reward. I also can't even imagine the financial expenditures of such a seemingly shallow goal, all things considered atm.

It seems there are Laurel Canyon themes here. The rock-star image is hard to resist for many in such a desperate world.

FWIW, the boat she was sailing is of the extreme variety. They are fast, but not wholly seaworthy. Her fellow striver-of-records, the Australian Jessica Watson, also 16, finished over a month ago but in a far more seaworthy(safer) boat, albiet slower.

I hope this is a wake-up call of sorts to those who would attempt similar feats at such a young age. And for ego/fame/money? :/

My current thoughts anyway.

 

[Cyre2067]

Re: Abby Sunderland 16 Year Old Sailer Missing At Sea

Who lets a 16 yo sail around the world alone? When I heard about this story I was really peeved at her parents.

 

[cholas]

Re: Abby Sunderland 16 Year Old Sailer Missing At Sea

A very good question imho too, Puck.

Also, her one-year-older brother did the same journey(different boat) about a year or so ago and held the 'youngest record' for a couple of days or so. It's almost like the parents were thinking 'become famous or die trying'.

 

[Nawd]

Re: Abby Sunderland 16 Year Old Sailer Missing At Sea

My first thought too. Really? Sending a young kid off on such a journey that carries such incredible risks, just for status? What is worse, is on her blog she mentions working on 'her book.'

I'm hope she is ok, and I realize she is experienced as a sailor for her age... however to break some sort of record or another? Wouldn't doing such a thing with an experienced adult sailor make just as much an interesting story?

It is simply mind boggling. The girl is brave, she is smart, but that does not mean that she should be tossed into a boat by herself for a record.

:(

edit: Spelling and usage of verbs

 

[Laura]

'She's fine': Teen sailor Abby Sunderland found alive
http://www.smh.com.au/world/shes-fine-teen-sailor-abby-sunderland-found-alive-20100611-y0tq.html

 

[Nawd]

Thanks for the update! :)

'She's fine': Teen sailor Abby Sunderland found alive
http://www.smh.com.au/world/shes-fine-teen-sailor-abby-sunderland-found-alive-20100611-y0tq.html

 

[Beau]

Her parents are defending themselves in the media, equating going on a round the world sail with driving. They were quoted saying something like, "She could get killed driving down the street, should we not let her drive?"