Tens of thousands of wellwishers crowded every vantage point on Sydney Harbour yesterday to welcome teen sailor Jessica Watson back to dry land.
Her Kiwi-born parents, Julie and Roger, were first on the water to greet their 16-year-old daughter, after her seven-month bid to become the youngest person to sailaround the world solo, non-stop and unassisted.
Watson battled rough water conditions during the final leg of her journey, including 30-knot winds along the coast of New South Wales.
A tear in her boat's sail delayed her arrival by nearly two hours, but she was in high spirits as she neared shore.
After docking at the Opera House, she was greeted by her parents, media and Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. Rudd hailed her as a hero - but she said she was just an ordinary girl with a dream.
"I don't know what to think and what to say at the moment, but it's absolutely amazing."
Jessica celebrated her return with a chicken burrito - and then, like any good Kiwi, went home for a pavlova.
Watson's Central Otago grandparents, Gordon and Margaret Chisholm, were on the supporters' boat accompanying Ella's Pink Lady.
Ironically, the family did not fare well on the waves as Jessica's uncle Neville Chisholm reported several incidents of sea-sickness. "It wouldn't be anything for Jess, but we've been out here for a few hours and it's very, very choppy."
Jessica sailed out of Sydney on October 18 in her 10m yacht Ella's Pink Lady. During her 210 days at sea, she travelled 23,000 nautical miles and survived 12m waves.
But her feat will not be considered an official world record because the World Speed Sailing Record Council has discontinued its "youngest" category.
