22,000 nautical miles, 7-8 months, one young woman alone, facing all that the
sea and the weather can throw at her. This is the challenge that Jessica will
overcome.

Why?, a whim?, perhaps an adolescent dream?…No, the same quiet determination and
commitment that has seen Jessica achieve and maintain a solid academic level
through distance education while building her sailing knowledge and experience
will see her reach this goal. In her quest, to reach what is considered the
absolute pinnacle of sailing Jessica will pit herself against mother nature and
all she can deliver including the notorius Southern Ocean as well as the
physical and pyschological demands of eight months alone at sea. In doing so,
Jessica wants to show that even the most gentle among us can achieve great
things and with determination and the support of those around us can live our
dreams. Jessica hopes that her journey can inspire others to take that first
step and be all they want to be.

When Australian Jesse Martin set the current record in 1999, he celebrated his
18th birthday during the journey. Jessica plans to set off shortly after her
16th birthday in 2009, returning before she turns 17, taking more than a year
off Jesse’s record.