Bad sports, good sports: Teenage girl sails around the world
Back in January of this year, I mentioned a 16-year-old girl named Abby Sunderland who was attempting to make a non-stop sailing trip around the world by herself. Her attempt ended, at least temporarily, about a week ago when she needed to stop for repairs. At the same time, Jessica Watson, a 16-year-old from Australia, was making her own trip. She actually left two months before Sunderland, but had gotten less publicity here in the U.S. She managed to avoid the problems that have plagued Sunderland’s trip, and on Saturday, she pulled into Sydney Harbor after a successful 210 day trip.
As an achievement and as a world-record, what Watson has done is fantastic and commendable. It certainly belongs on the Good Sports side of the ledger. I am not sure I can fathom allowing one of my daughters, who are only a year younger than Watson, to set out by herself in a sailboat with the intention of circumnavigating the planet. I am still getting used to them going out with their friends without an adult being with them (they have been doing it for a while…doesn’t mean I am used to it). In fact, I will go on the record here as being firmly on the side of “No Freaking Way.” I’d almost go as far as to say that her parents are guilty of criminal negligence in allowing her to make the trip. Almost.
Anyway, setting aside my own parental insecurities, I do admire what this young girl accomplished. I am certain I would not have the courage to attempt something like that myself, even if I knew how to sail. The opportunities for trouble must be enormous. So much of it would seem to be out of the sailor’s control. Still, she came home safely and is being cheered as a hero by her country’s Prime Minister. Pretty heady stuff for a kid who can’t even drive yet.
Good sports, continued:
2) Speaking of underage athletes making news, a 12-year-old boy from Brentwood, Tennessee, became the youngest bowler to ever win money at a PBA event. Kamron Doyle won $400 by averaging a 215 score over 13 games.
3) I need to give a quick shout-out to my hometown Philadelphia Flyers, who completed a spectacular comeback in their conference semi-final series against the Boston Bruins with a 4-3 win in Boston on Friday night. The Flyers trailed in the series three games to none, and after winning three straight to even the series, went down 3-0 in the first period of Friday’s game. They stormed back to win, as the Bruins completed one of the greatest collapses in NHL history.
Bad sports:
1) Erica Blasberg, a 25-year-old professional golfer, died last week at her home in Las Vegas. The cause of death is still being investigated.
2) In more golf news, a college golfer was disqualified from a tournament last week after providing fake scores to the people responsible for posting them. Annie Brophy, who plays for Notre Dame, did turn in a valid scorecard, and apparently didn’t realize the issue she was causing for herself.
3) I have often lauded the amazing career of tennis player Roger Federer, who may be the greatest player of all time. At the end of the Madrid Open final against Rafael Nadal, though, Federer looked very human. Have you ever been playing tennis and simply missed the ball on a forehand? Well, now Federer has. On match point, no less. Check out the video.
Bad Sports, Good Sports appears every Monday
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Alan, good post. Thanks for sharing. Re: Good Sport #1, I share your admiration for the girl’s accomplishment, but also your parental concern. For the last five days, I’ve been the nervous of a 16-year-old-brand-new-driver … and all he’s doing is navigating town in a pickup truck! :-)
As for Good Sport #3, your shout-out is being echoed by at least one guy in West Texas. When I lived in Pennsylvania, back in 1975, a bunch of us drove down to Philly to celebrate the Flyers’ second consecutive Stanley Cup. All these years later, I still root for the Broad Street Bullies. It’s time for another Cup, I think.
Thanks, as always, Jeff. My girls will get their permits late this summer. The thought is a challenging one, to say the least.