JesseMartin.Net
8th December 1998
AT last, I'm away. The rush to get the boat ready in time was unbelievable.
But not as unbelievable as the moment I finally drifted away from the jetty at Sandringham Yacht Club on Sunday. Then it hit me - the scope of what was lying ahead.
I've been planning this trip since I was 13, but it was a shock to realise I was finally under way.
I had only two hours' sleep on Saturday night, we were so busy packing supplies and testing equipment. My dad didn't get any sleep at all.
I must admit it was a bit strange to be the focus of so much attention. To have 300 people come down to farewell me was amazing.
The emotion of leaving my family was something else altogether, with mum shedding some tears when it was time to get away.
My departure produced a funny moment which I believe confused some people. As I was getting under way, a friend, Ben Richardson, jumped aboard and sailed from the yacht club with me.
Some people thought I had already broken the rules of sailing solo.
In fact, I didn't start my record attempt until the Port Phillip heads. I was only giving Ben a lift to meet some mates who were on a boat in the bay.
It's a pity the weather wasn't a bit better when I started, but I suppose it won't be anything compared with some of the stuff ahead.
I'm on my way around Tasmania, then it's straight east, below New Zealand.
I hope to hit the half-way point at the Azores Islands in the North Atlantic Ocean about April 20.
This is the antipodal point of my journey. That is, the exact opposite point to Melbourne on the globe. If all goes well, I'll be home on my 18th birthday on August 26, 1999.