THE TALL POPPY SYNDROME

I learned a new phrase recently , "the tall poppy syndrome". According to Wikipedia , "this is a disparaging term used to describe when people of genuine merit are resented, attacked, cut down or criticized because their talents or achievements elevate them above or distinguish them from their peers."

This term has been used in Australia to describe the attacks on Jessica Watson. She is the 16 year old girl who is one day away from completing her attempt to sail around the world solo,non-stop and unassisted. She is due to sail into Sidney harbor 200 days after she left, trip completed without incident.





According to WSSRC rules, "To sail around the World, a vessel must start from and return to the same point, must cross all meridians of longitude and must cross the Equator. The shortest orthodromic track of the vessel must be at least 21,600 miles in length." The big word there is orthodromic which is basically "as the crow flies."

The first part of the requirement, she did flawlessly, it is the miles covered where there is controversy. Her actual nautical miles traveled, which includes tack, is about 23,000 but as the crow flies, she only covered 19,631. So no record. Being the youngest doesn't count either for age is no longer taken into account.

While her feat may not be record worthy, she can be quite proud of what she has accomplished. I wrote about her here when she first started and I have followed her almost daily, totally fascinated and in awe. Her attitude has been amazing and her courage cannot be in doubt.

I seriously questioned at the time about letting a teen attempt such a trip, but as I read her almost daily posts, I realized this was one "tall poppy." One of the things about her account that impressed me the most is that she almost never whined. She makes me look like a crabby grump. So refreshing from the usual teen wail, "I'm soooo bored." No teen angst from this young lady.

There were boring days when there was little or no wind. She used the time to clean ship or study. The times during storms, when she had to hang on for dear life as the ship took a knockdown (when the boat heels almost 90 degrees and the mast is almost parallel to the ocean surface) she would only say that she was happy to be making good time in the storm.

The lack of record will not affect her book deal or documentary. Mainly it hasn't in the least dampened her thrill for accomplishing such an amazing feat nor should it for she has done at 16 what many dream about but oh so few accomplish. Her attitude is exemplary, she has no malice towards her critics and is totally up beat. She is all ready planning new adventures.

If you want to see what a special person she is, check out her Thursday's post. You will see some amazing pictures. The competent person who has almost completed an arduous journey, finally lets loose to show she is still very much a teen. Like her, I am sorry the trip is over but I have enjoyed it all. It has been seven very interesting months. Thank you Jesse and I will miss the daily adventures quite a lot.

Pretty sure we have not heard the last of Jessica Watson. You go girl.