Oz teen completes round-the-world sail

SYDNEY - Teen sailor Jessica Watson can expect an emotional welcome when she arrives in Sydney after crossing the finish line of her round-the-world voyage.

Thousands of people have packed the Opera House and Botanic Gardens as she sails back into Sydney Harbour.

She first left on a solo round-the-world voyage last October and is returning after 210 days.

Patrick Lee, 89, is decked out in iconic Australian gear and a Neptune-like pitchfork, awaits Jessica Watson’s return outside the Sydney Opera House.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Watson told Channel 10 in a live interview from her yacht that despite having to battle difficult conditions over the past few days, she was not tired.

“It’s all building up - it’s getting exciting. I think I’m riding on excitement, so I have plenty of energy.”

Leanne Swales, who came to the Opera House with her eight-year-old son Jack Harris, said she was proud of Watson’s achievements as an Australian.

The 16-year-old has been under the spotlight ever since she declared that she wanted to be the youngest person to sail around the world unassisted.

She faced intense criticism after a trial run of her journey in September ended on when her yacht hit a 60,000 tonne coal tanker off the coast of Stradbroke Island in southeast Queensland.

But the Queensland teen pushed on with her adventure, surrounded by a throng of well-wishers as she departed Sydney Harbour on her seven-month adventure on October 18.

Watson’s world voyage already had 39 sponsors, which French cosmetic giant Ella Bache’s endorsement alone possibly in the six-figure range.

And she is likely to continue to reap in millions after her return to shore today. (ANI)