Abby Sunderland had a big dream: in 2010, she planned to sail around the world as the youngest human at 16 years old. But nothing came of it. In the Indian Ocean she got into a heavy storm with her yacht "Wild Eyes", the mast of the boat came from above, a French trawler rescued the US-American. The "Wild Eyes" had to give it up.
More than eight years later, the boat has now been spotted south of Kangaroo Island, police from the state of South Australia said. The former owner touched the news about the discovery of her old boat: her heart was set on strike, said Sunderland, who is now 25 years old.
It was "very emotional" for her to see the pictures of the "Wild Eyes", now overgrown with shells. "There are memories coming up - good and not so good." The US-American, however, thinks that the boat looks "a bit scary", "but after that long time that was to be expected".
Sunderland now hopes the yacht will be recovered. But even that will probably be nothing. A police spokesman said that the "Wild Eyes" disappeared after their sighting. The authorities assume that the sailboat has sunk in the meantime.
"A little scary"
Abby Sunderland had a big dream: in 2010, she planned to sail around the world as the youngest human at 16 years old. But nothing came of it.
In the Indian Ocean she fell into a heavy storm with her yacht "Wild Eyes", which broke the mast of the boat, a French trawler rescued the US-American.
More than eight years later, the boat has now been spotted south of the Australian Kangaroo Islands.
It was "very emotional" for her to see the pictures of the "Wild Eyes". "There are memories coming up - good and not so good." The US-American, however, thinks that the boat looks "a bit scary", "but after that long time that was to be expected".
Sunderland now hopes the yacht will be recovered. But even that will probably be nothing. A police spokesman said that the "Wild Eyes" disappeared after their sighting. The authorities assume that the sailboat has sunk in the meantime.
Sunderland and her parents had been heavily criticized by some media following the ruptured circumnavigation and dramatic rescue operation. In this photo you can see how the French ship approached Sunderland and her boat in 2010.
Sea rescue coordinator Phillipe Museux from the French-ruled island of Reunion showed the location of the wreck on a map: from the discovery of the damaged yacht to the rescue of the teenager Abby Sunderland from the icy waters of the southern Indian Ocean took one and a half days.
Abby survived the accident and was brought back to the mainland by the crew of the trawler.
But her demolished sailing yacht "Wild Eyes" had to give it up.
Sunderland comes from a sailing enthusiastic family. Her older brother Zac also held the title of the youngest circumnavigator for a few weeks.
Her father Laurence Sunderland resisted the criticism after her rescue. At any age, a sailor could be in distress, he said on US television. "Do not kid yourself, life is dangerous, how many teenagers die in car accidents?"
The parents then thanked Sunderland's website for the help of the rescuers. "They took care of our daughter as if it were her own," they wrote. "Thank you for exceeding our expectations to ensure Abby's safety."
Sunderland and her parents had been heavily criticized by some media following the ruptured circumnavigation and dramatic rescue operation. The then 16-year-old defended in 2010 her decision that she wanted to cross the Indian Ocean during the dangerous winter time.
"Giant waves can occur anytime, anywhere - for sailors of all ages." She was supported daily by meteorologists "who have been leading people through this part of the ocean for 30 years". Her parents also protected her. "They helped me to fulfill my dream."
Sunderland comes from a sailing enthusiastic family. Her older brother Zac also held the title of the youngest circumnavigator for a few weeks. Her father Laurence Sunderland also resisted the criticism after her rescue. At any age, a sailor could be in distress, he said on US television. "Do not kid yourself, life is dangerous, how many teenagers die in car accidents?"
The parents then thanked Sunderland's website for the help of the rescuers. "They took care of our daughter as if it were her own," they wrote. "Thank you for exceeding our expectations to ensure Abby's safety."