After 7 months at sea, Australian teen sailor nears finish line of her round-the-world journey

Australian teen nears end of round-the-world sail

SYDNEY — Thousands are lining Sydney Harbour to welcome home a 16-year-old Australian, who was just a few miles from the finish line in her bid to become the youngest person to sail solo, nonstop and unassisted around the world.

Jessica Watson, who has spent seven months at sea, was battling choppy conditions in the last leg of her adventure but was in high spirits as she neared the shore.

Watson, from Buderim, north of Brisbane in Queensland state, sailed out of Sydney on Oct. 18 in her pink 34-footyacht and has traveled 23,000 nautical miles. She plans to dock at the Opera House, where she will be greeted by her parents, a throng of media and Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.