Jess Watson Bio
Jessica Watson, OAM is an Australian sailor who was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for completing a southern hemisphere solo circumnavigation at the age of 16. Departing Sydney on 18 October 2009, Watson headed north-east, crossing the equator in the Pacific Ocean before crossing the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. She returned to Sydney on 15 May 2010, three days before her 17th birthday, though the voyage was ultimately shorter than the required 21,600 nautical miles to be considered a global circumnavigation. In recognition of her achievement Watson was named the 2011 Young Australian of the Year, and the following year was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia. Currently, she resides in Buderim, Queensland.
Jess Watson Physical Stats
Jess is 26 years old as of 2020. Her body measurements are 34-26-35 inches. She wears a bra size of 32 B. She has blonde hair and has dark brown eyes.
Jess Watson Early Life
Watson was born in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. The second of four children of New Zealander couple Roger and Julie Watson, who moved to Australia in 1987, she has dual Australian and New Zealand citizenship. She has an older sister (Emily) and younger brother and sister (Tom and Hannah).
Facts about Jess Watson
- Watson had been planning to complete a solo non-stop and unassisted circumnavigation since at least early 2008.
- After the journey she continued a relationship with Michael Perham, the continuing youngest circumnavigator.
- Watson has also filmed a documentary about her solo trip before, during and after completing her journey.
- It was narrated by Sir Richard Branson and premiered on ONEHD on 16 August 2010, before being released on DVD along with a CD album on 20 August 2010.
- Watson sailed out of Sydney Harbour on 18 October 2009 in her pink-hulled Ella Baché-sponsored Ella’s Pink Lady.
- 18 days later, on 5 November, she passed Tonga, sailing clear of both New Zealand and Fiji.
- Watson’s journey has been criticised, particularly after the collision with the freighter.
- Watson commented on this matter in her book True Spirit.
- Despite criticism, Watson has had her supporters, not only after, but before the departure.
- Since completing her circumnavigation, Watson has been recognised with a number of awards.
- Watson was named the Young Australian of the Year on 25 January 2011.
- Watson was the first female skipper to cross the line in the 2011 Sydney to Hobart and as a result earned the Jane Tate trophy.
Image Credit: Instagram
