You’re adding facts about fuel and the motor.
The reporter indicates it was because of too much kelp on the keel.
My 14 y/o has been sailing since infancy but has never crewed on a major race or sailed solo out of sight of land. There is no indication she did either. He’s not qualified to do a solo round the world and neither was she.
See Jessica Watson’s documented list of accomplishments and compare them to Abby’s. This media-hungry family would surely list her sailing accomplishments had she any.
Note also that this guy’s account varies wildly with that on the same date on Abby’s blog. She doesn’t mention any problems, motor issues or tow.
Seems to be the chic thing to dog this young lady. Yet the Aussie gets treated with accolades.
Lesson - America loves a winner and will destroy a loser.
Interesting logic. Perhaps there should be a law that future sailors should check in with your kids attainments before they try something.
It's also interesting that the reporter who file this story spent a lot of time with Abby and her family, and as a result had a positive perspective about Abby, and felt that she and her parents pursued this trip safely and sanely with proper preparation and appropriate skill.
So it sure is good that you managed to post this in a negative light, before people got the wrong idea.