Next bid should be Olympic gold for sailing sensation Jessica Watson

OLYMPIC sailing champions believe Jessica Watson has what it takes to be a gold medallist or an America's Cup winner.

AUSTRALIAN Olympic sailing champions believe Jessica Watson has what it takes to be a gold medallist or an America's Cup winner.

And a potential bid for Olympic glory has been further supported by America's Cup-winning skipper and Australian sailing great John Bertrand.

Mark Turnbull, who won gold in the 470 class with Tom King at the Sydney Olympics, praised the 16-year-old after she became the youngest person to sail solo, non-stop and unassisted around the world.

Turnbull, who was 27 when he won gold, said there was plenty of time for Watson to become an Olympic champion if she wished to pursue a racing career.

"I'd love to see her pursue it, but it's another mountain for her to climb," Turnbull said.

He said Watson would enter the sport with a high profile and credibility thanks to her impressive feat.

"It's a desire and a dream she's obviously had to go around the world. To go to the Olympics, it's the same dream," Turnbull said.

"If she wants that dream, she'll realise it. If she did, I'd love to speak to her and help guide her."

Glenn Ashby, who won a silver medal in the Tornado class with Darren Bundock at the Beijing Olympics, recently coached BMW Oracle Racing to victory in the America's Cup in Valencia in February.

He said Watson had the drive and the passion to compete in the America's Cup if she wanted to.

He said her voyage would continue to lift the profile of sailing in Australia.

"The sky's the limit for someone like Jess," Ashby said.

"One of our head coaches for the Australian team said you can teach skills, but you can't teach the drive and the enthusiasm and the heart.

"She'll have lots of offers over the next few years to do some sailing. She will have to choose the direction she wants to head in.

"If she chooses wisely ... she could achieve anything she puts her mind to. And that includes the America's Cup."

Bertrand said Watson's amazing feat was representative of the Australian spirit. "If she so chooses, she could become an Olympic racing sailor," Bertrand said.

"And who knows, perhaps even (get involved) in the America's Cup."

Australian entrepreneur and aviator Dick Smith praised Watson's courage.

"I've been around Great Passage, where Cape Horn is, by boat," Smith said.

"To think of Jessica rounding Cape Horn at night, she's a very brave young lady."