Teen hero Jessica Watson sheds tears after sailing around the world

AUSTRALIA'S "newest hero" sailed triumphantly into Sydney Harbour after an epic solo journey around the world.

AUSTRALIA'S "newest hero" sailed triumphantly into Sydney Harbour yesterday after an epic and courageous solo journey around the world.

Jessica Watson, 16, crossed the finish line at 1.53pm to be greeted by her excited parents, Julie and Roger, tens of thousands of well-wishers and hundreds of spectator boats.

The youngest person to sail around the world non-stop and unassisted, the 16-year-old waved to cheering onlookers as she finished her voyage at Sydney Heads and was "completely overwhelmed" by her welcome.

Jessica's hometown supporters also swelled with pride at the Mooloolaba Marina, where they gathered around a flatscreen to watch her return.


Click here to read Jess's own column

Her mother was in tears as Jessica crossed the finish line in the 10m Ella's Pink Lady after 23,000 nautical miles and 210 days at sea.

"She's home. She said she'd sail around the world and she has," she said.

It wasn't an easy ending - a tear in her main sail slowed the adventure-seeker down, contributing to a more than two-hour delay in her arrival.


Click here to read UK sailor's open letter to Jessica

She apologised for keeping crowds waiting.

Sailing's new poster girl marked the achievement by indulging in cravings for some fresh food including whipped cream, an orange, orange juice, some spicy food and Tim Tams.

Fellow young sailors Jesse Martin - who holds the world record as the youngest solo sailer to circumnavigate the world non-stop - and Mike Perham- who at 17 is the youngest to complete the feat with stops - boarded the boat shortly after.

The trio then made their way to the Sydney Opera House.

Jessica said it was tough leaving her trusty vessel.

"As much as I wanted that hug from Mum and Dad and everyone ... Ella's Pink Lady has been my home, but so, so much more than that for so long," she said.

"Stepping off, it just seemed the strangest thing to do because obviously I've spent the last nearly seven months doing everything I can to stay onboard."

At an official welcome ceremony, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd named Jessica "Australia's newest hero".

"You may feel a little wobbly on your feet just now, but in the eyes of all Australians, you now stand tall as our newest Australian hero," he said.

But a modest Jessica, who had been supported by her parents as she walked slowly and tentatively from her boat, disagreed.

"I don't consider myself a hero. I'm an ordinary girl who believed in a dream and you don't have to be someone special or anything special to achieve something amazing," she said.

"You just have to have the dream, believe in it and work hard."

Jessica later said that while she planned to do more sailing, she would now concentrate on "slightly more normal things" such as learning to drive and school.