Family of teen sailor jubilant on news she is safe

[Lady's Human]

One of the points Abby was making is that if you are a sailor who is 16, 26, 42 or 57 years old, you will run into storms and/or other problems, and even need to be rescued. She ALSO pointed out that no one paid attention to her trip (media et al) until things went bad. If she had completed her trip successfully - as with others that have - we wouldn't be having this discussion. So much for doing it for the "glory".

There was much discussion before she started off on this foolhardy trip about the attempt, and a lot of publicity. I remember several articles about her, discussing whether it was bravery or foolish. I voted the latter then.

The Sunderlands are a sailing family; I think it is natural that Abby wanted to do this because her brother had a successful run.

Fine, do the run during the annual around the world race, where there are support mechanisms already in place.

One of the young sailors was doing his run to raise money for a charity.

Yes, they volunteered for this. They were trained, had the proper supplies on board.

Thought this was a solo run?

Comparing it to volunteering for the military might be a bit of apples vs oranges, but I see the point. Odds of survival are much worse in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Not hardly. Several people have died attempting around the world voyages of the few who have tried to so it solo. To continue with the rather crass and pointless comparison, if you did the math, soldiers and marines in Afghanistan and Iraq have much better chance of survival.