But Mom, he got to sail around the world!

Moving away from the current discussion for a moment..

The first solo, non-stop, round-the-world race was in 1968.

Donald Crowhurst was one of nine who entered the race:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Crowhurst

The current events just made me think of this sad story.

Carry on.

 

The way that boat is built, it's practically unsinkable as things stand now. (And yes, I'm aware of the historic folly of that statement.)
But it's keel is still attached and it's a self-righting boat. She could do 360 degrees a few times and be all right.
I'm glad she's alive, and I admire her for getting as far as she did. That part of the world has knocked a few boats down, 16 years or not.
And I get Spirited's argument, but my response would be there are exceptions to every rule. Not all 16-year-old's could do what she tried to do, but I don't think she (or her brother, who sailed around the world at 17) are your average kids.

 

I thought she drowned. /crossthread

 

I'd explain percentages to him but I'm sure that would be a waste of my time.

 

Oh, and if the one expert on page 6 wasn't enough, from the AP story that just moved ...

 

Now that I'm a lot more impressed with. Someone needs to step in and talk to these parents.

 

! was making a point about the persistence of risk - not risk spread across a large statistical sample, you jackass.

 

Good looks, mb.

 

If her brother completed the trip and someone else just broke the record and she's surviving, how is it a death sentence?

 

Either that, or struck by lightning on a mountaintop as he was about to propose /also a crossthread.

 

Of course there is potential for death or some other disaster. She's in the middle of the ocean.

It is a risk that is inherent in the sport, just like there is potentially deadly trouble in any outdoorsy activity or extreme sport. If you're going to do it at all, that risk cannot be completely eliminated. But the Sunderlands -- Abby included -- knew and understood those risks, and obviously, they had an idea how to prepare for and handle them.

There would be the same potential for death or disaster even if the sailor was an adult. And, in terms of sailing, the Sunderland kids have proven that they are at least the equal of most adults -- even older, expert ones.

The only thing making this story different than if an adult tried it is the fact that the sailor is, chronologically, a kid. She apparently is really no kid in this situation, though, if she not only tried it but also rose to the task when trouble arose and handled things as well as any other sailor would have done.

Now, she has, or will, no doubt, learn, grow and mature even more beyond her years -- even her sailing years -- as a result of this experience.

To continue to refer to these teens as if they're just your average everyday kids does nothing but denigrate them and treats them like something that they obviously are not.

 

Lots of children died of starvation today.

Lots more were murdered.

Lots more simply died of neglect.

Why haven't you commented on them today?