Reply by nan4170 June 11, 2010 05:13pm PDTReport Abuse

i totally agree.

Reply by mjwithatwist June 11, 2010 05:47pm PDTReport Abuse

Except when the risk is obviously life-threatening and idiotic.

Reply by deborah rileypflipsen June 11, 2010 07:34pm PDTReport Abuse

Do you mean like the obvious risk every high school cheerleader, football player, lacross player, hockey player, gymnast & any other sport participating child in the world? Ever heard of all the paralyzing or fatal injuries in these sports? At my kids school. they participate in long distance trips including white water river rafting, mountain climbing, travel across the world. All with much less training than this young woman has received. Amazing how you would blame the parents for raising a confident, self sufficient, competent, intelligent daughter who was ready to face a dream alone. Thank God you were not around to pass judgement years ago when it was common place for teens and younger to cross this country, build their homes, prospect, survive & yes even marry & become parents themselves! We would all still be living in England never having ventured out since so many of the pioneering individuals were just teens themselves. Bravo to this brave young woman & to her parents terrific parenting that gave her not only the freedom to chase this dream but also the wherewhithall to accomplish it.

Reply by mjwithatwist June 12, 2010 03:08pm PDTReport Abuse

As a two sport athlete at the high school level and a single sport athlete at the collegiate level I know the risk of many sports but the accidents that take place on the field including many of the paralyzing injuries are considered 'freak' accidents for a reason...it's not common. I'm not saying she shouldn't be sailing, but as a 16 year old trying to break a record, it clearly wasnt about about exploring the world or just doing something you love. Next in line is a 15 year old, followed by a 14 year old trying to beat a dangerous record that is obviously too much for a 16 year old. Luckily she will be okay but if it turned out the other way the father might have some serious doubts about letting his daughter go out in the middle of the ocean by herself knowing the seas are rough at the time she went. Do something for the fun and the enjoyment and let the success come from completing the challenge, not some dangerous and silly record.