Laura Dekker, the 15 year old Dutch sailor who is sailing rather leisurely alone around the world on her yacht Guppy, has been by all appearances handling the sailing part of her journey without too much difficulty. If she completes here multi-stop circumnavigation prior to turning seventeen on September 20, 2012, she will be the youngest person to sail alone around the world. Recently, she was criticized for not handing the media as well as she has the seafaring. Personally I think the attack is grossly unfair and rather misplaced. She posted a few honest comments on her blog about dealing with the media when she was near exhaustion. And she is all of 15 years old. This silliness does, however, point out that to sail around the world alone these days, it is a good idea to have an advance teams of publicists precede you.
Teen sailor Laura Dekker lashes out against media
But her latest blog entry might be perceived as the handiwork of a spoiled brat, not a courageous adventurer. Here are Dekker’s comments, after a night crossing from San Blas Islands to Shelter Bay Marina in Panama:
“Early this morning I arrived in Panama, right into the thick of crowds of people and cargo ships. I have been busy non-stop since. The press people stood immediately in front of my nose, and because the Shelter Bay Marina sponsors me, I could not ignore them.
“They always ask me the same questions over and over again and are often clueless about me. This time, I even was asked my name… ! She really did not know, and I was so perplexed it took me a while before I could utter that my name is Laura.
“Sure I was tired after the night crossing, and now I really felt very tired of all the people around me pretending to be interested and knowledgeable about me. My good mood slowly faded to an inner anger that I always feel when people treat me like a celebrity. And then they often come up with the most mind-boggling or stupid questions.”
Spoiled brat? She sounds like a tired sailor to me. I find it refreshing that she doesn’t want to be treated like a celebrity. Quit beating up on the 15 year old.
Sounds like she was tired of uninformed questions by so called journalists.
ZEILMEISJE LAURA DEKKER on FACEBOOK
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=107777619273164&v=wall
I must say I struggle to feel secure about 15 years olds sailing solo around the world. I have no doubt of their sailing ability but there is so many other challenges, such as pirates, out there, the thought just makes me shudder.
Laura is not a spoiled brat, but as was mentioned a tired sailor! No doubt that after a night of sailing non-stop she would like some rest and not to be bothered by the paparazzi! I don’t blame her for her actions!
She should be given consideration, and not be bothered at all!
I wish Laura all kinds of success in her endeavours!
Anyone who has made a long passage, even with crew, can relate. She’s not Brittany Spears or Lady Gaga, she’s Laura Dekker. I give her a lot of credit. (Might I add many male sailors have not been exactly gracious under the barrage of innane questions from the press…)
(btw, the world was peopled, explored, settled and conquered largely by teenagers.)
“btw, the world was peopled, explored, settled and conquered largely by teenagers.”
Very true Linda.
And a bit scary if you think about it.
Those who worry about pirates: There are no pirates at sea, except near Somalia.
However I have worried a little about her land visits, and who she might encounter there. It might be questionable to have a young girl visiting places alone.
On the other hand the world is filled with young travellers of 18 or slightly higher age, the freedom limit. It would also be sad if something happened to them. They are allowed because they are above the freedom limit people have, especially boys have this freedom. There was by the way not much discussion about the two boys who sailed around the world alone at age 16-17 year 2009.
Hi Laura,
You are not the only one in this situation. (I am a swimcoach) when you watch TV the poor marathon runner, the cyclists and for example you. you are not even finished. see cross eyed you are so tired.and then they stuff that microphone just about in your nose and expect that you give them all the time they want. I feel for you. just try to smile and think while you smile. just sink in the ground.that helps.