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Abby Sunderland's solo bid was 'too risky' says American Sailing Association
Herald Sun ^ | 14th June 2010 | Carly Crawford and Michael Harvey

Posted on 06/13/2010 6:52:35 PM PDT by naturalman1975

THE United States' peak sailing body was so concerned about Abby Sunderland's solo record bid that it refused to sponsor her.

As the young sailor blasted her critics, the American Sailing Association confirmed it had knocked back the teenager's appeal for help, fearing commercial endorsement might encourage her to take too many risks.

"We chose not to be sponsors of Abigail because we did have concerns about the timing of her departure," said executive director Charlie Nobles.

Abby's route placed her in the treacherous Indian Ocean during the notoriously tough winter months.

"She had a lot of sponsors that were behind her and I think that puts pressure on her," Mr Nobles said. "We made a prudent decision not to contribute to that."

.....

Mrs Sunderland, who is pregnant with the family's eighth child, said the family did not have the money to compensate Australian rescue officials, with the rescue costing $300,000, the Courier Mail reported.

"The full cost of chartering an Airbus would be so high, you'd think they would have to work with the US Government for that," she said from her California home.

"We're not wealthy people," she said. "What price would you put on a child's life?"

....

Federal Transport Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed yesterday that the Government would not seek reimbursement for the cost of Abby's rescue.

"That is not the way that the law works," Mr Albanese told Channel 10's Meet the Press.

"If there was an Australian lost at sea, we would want the international laws on maritime to kick in and for every effort to be made to save that person."

A spokeswoman for the Australian Maritime Safety Authority said that Abby would likely be transferred to one of two other ships heading to the rescue site.

(Excerpt) Read more at news.com.au ...


TOPICS: Australia/New Zealand; Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS: abbysunderland; failboat; risky; sail; sailing
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To: naturalman1975

Of course it was too risky.It’s damn risky for a *very* experienced 40 year old yachtsman/sailor...let alone a 16 year old kid.If a 16 year old’s parents want their kid to do something exceptional encourage him/her to work hard enough to gain admission to Harvard/Yale/MIT and leave the suicide missions to crazy old guys.


21 posted on 06/13/2010 7:18:18 PM PDT by Gay State Conservative (Host The Beer Summit-->Win The Nobel Peace Prize!)
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To: ejonesie22

I guess break.com morons flying off cliffs from bikes, skates, or whatever are what makes the country great? We still got plenty of idiots left to display greatness. I guess we need to send the underage girls off to die for it too though, proves how great we are.


22 posted on 06/13/2010 7:18:52 PM PDT by Tolsti2
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To: naturalman1975

Properly planned and supervised it can be a safe journey for a 16 year old. That wasn’t it.


23 posted on 06/13/2010 7:19:34 PM PDT by CodeToad
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To: ejonesie22
It was a publicity stunt that put a young girl in danger by sending her out into the ocean at the worst time possible so she could claim the title of “the youngest”.

Now others are expected to foot the bill for the bad judgment of the parent. Speaking of whiners, let the family dig into their own pockets.

24 posted on 06/13/2010 7:19:46 PM PDT by CaptainK (...please make it stop. Shake a can of pennies at it.)
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To: naturalman1975
CanTeen - The Australian Organisation for Young People Living with Cancer - a charity with a youth focus supported by Qantas who provided the aircraft that responded.

For that matter, get Abby (who is most likely going to be delivered to Australia) to do some TV ads for CanTeen. Do something to show what was done was appreciated.

25 posted on 06/13/2010 7:20:35 PM PDT by naturalman1975 ("America was under attack. Australia was immediately there to help." - John Winston Howard)
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To: FlingWingFlyer
This is a 16 year old girl version of “Balloon Boy”, except this time the kid was on the boat. Lock up the parents until they can pay up the 300K.
26 posted on 06/13/2010 7:23:21 PM PDT by Lockbar (March toward the sound of the guns.)
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To: ejonesie22

“So was most every act that made this once great nation great...

Yes your nation was made great by many brave people taking risks....but because THEY HAD TO in order to survive or to ensure that which the loved survived.

This is a lame stunt aimed at nothing but vain fame, do not insult those who have gone before you in founding your great nation, by comparing them to these glory hounds.


27 posted on 06/13/2010 7:23:28 PM PDT by battousai (The mainstream media; as honest as the French are clean.)
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To: battousai

There were (are? or are we done with that) that made the country great by going into space. That wasn’t necessary or anything, but was a great thing.

However, they were adults. 16 year olds most likely would not be allowed up. Doing it here is just as wreckless.


28 posted on 06/13/2010 7:25:52 PM PDT by Tolsti2
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To: naturalman1975
While I am not among those who believe the Sunderlands should have to pay for this rescue (that simply isn't how it works), I have to say I am not impressed by Mrs Sunderland's attitude

Agreed, at least as to how Mrs. Sunderland came off in this article. "We're not wealthy people" is not a reason for other people, who are also not wealthy, to have to pay for your thrills.

Surely there is some way to require an insurance policy or bond for this sort of thing.

At the minimum, the Sunderlands should have stopped flapping their jaws and simply said "we are relieved and thankful Abby was rescued and we will be focusing on reuniting with her, not debating in the press."

For her to say, as she reportedly did, "what price can you put on a child's life?" -- HELL'S BELLS, lady!

29 posted on 06/13/2010 7:26:38 PM PDT by fightinJAG (The Kenyan - short hand for "The Alien in the White House" by Rabinowitz)
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To: battousai
Hahaha case closed:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2533958/posts

Now I really hope someone makes them pay, this is ridiculous that some people somewhere have to foot the bill because these low lifes wanted to make money on their daughter's life.
30 posted on 06/13/2010 7:27:21 PM PDT by battousai (The mainstream media; as honest as the French are clean.)
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To: Tolsti2
Fame freaks.

Attention whores works even better.

31 posted on 06/13/2010 7:27:57 PM PDT by BluH2o
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To: max americana

I want to see the law of the sea on rescues continued. However, that is not to say that people who put themselves out there under these circumstances, for fame and maybe even for fortune, should not out of grace and dignity post a bond or have some insurance policy to pay for a rescue. At the minimum, the family should be falling all over themselves with gratitude and thanksgiving — not jawboning about how, “who, me? pay for my kid’s adventuring?”


32 posted on 06/13/2010 7:29:29 PM PDT by fightinJAG (The Kenyan - short hand for "The Alien in the White House" by Rabinowitz)
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To: Mr Ramsbotham

You said it perfectly...


33 posted on 06/13/2010 7:30:49 PM PDT by spectre (Spectre's wife )(Save the Brown Pelican)
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To: Tolsti2
There were (are? or are we done with that) that made the country great by going into space. That wasn’t necessary or anything, but was a great thing.

I'm sorry I can't see the analogy here, going into space is like Christopher Columbus going off to find the America's, it is what humanity does explore and learn about things we don't know enough about.

What was this rush to be the youngest around the world adding to human knowledge or well being?

You just cannot compare the two.
34 posted on 06/13/2010 7:32:02 PM PDT by battousai (The mainstream media; as honest as the French are clean.)
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To: Tolsti2

That’s how the family strikes me. They seem to be looking for fame, and probably financial deals for TV, books, etc. Very similar to Octomom and Balloon Boy.


35 posted on 06/13/2010 7:32:05 PM PDT by 04-Bravo
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To: naturalman1975

Exactly. I at least want to see a little grace, dignity and gratitude out of these people. They are coming off not only as fame freaks, but entitlement freaks.

Yes, there is a solemn duty for mariners to rescue distressed mariners. So may it ever be. But that doesn’t mean no thanks should be given.


36 posted on 06/13/2010 7:32:09 PM PDT by fightinJAG (The Kenyan - short hand for "The Alien in the White House" by Rabinowitz)
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To: naturalman1975

Interesting that now money is the issue these words come out of the mothers mouth...

“What price would you put on a child’s life”

....hummm....where was that concern when she let her child sail solo in dangerous seas?


37 posted on 06/13/2010 7:35:34 PM PDT by caww
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To: naturalman1975
"We chose not to be sponsors of Abigail because we did have concerns about the timing of her departure," said executive director Charlie Nobles.
Abby's route placed her in the treacherous Indian Ocean during the notoriously tough winter months.

Speaking as an experienced offshore sailor this is exactly the same point I made very early on ... long before she was found by the Aussies. Crossing the Indian Ocean in May/June is the equivalent of crossing the North Atlantic in November/December. For a well crewed substantial sailboat certainly not advisable, for a solo sailor, particularly a 16 year old, incredibly stupid.

38 posted on 06/13/2010 7:36:22 PM PDT by BluH2o
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To: BobL

yeah and where did they get the money to build THAT boat?


39 posted on 06/13/2010 7:38:07 PM PDT by MissDairyGoodnessVT (Free Nobel Peace Prize with oil change =^..^=)
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To: Mr Ramsbotham
Did I mention that cynicism is what is killing us as much as anything else.

This was not some ignorant girl tossed into a sponsor built expensive boat and sent on her way. If that were the case she would never have made it 100 miles much less round both Cape Horn and Cape Good Hope solo.

40 posted on 06/13/2010 7:42:15 PM PDT by ejonesie22 (Christians: Stand for Christ or stand aside...)
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