"Maidentrip" Opens in US

[SaltyMonkey]

Yeah Decky. How do you compare when you have that behind you and public face? It's not the trip at that age, its the aftertaste and aftermath. Very tough.

[deckofficer]

Maybe 2016 Vendee Globe?

[Doodles]

She doesn't strike me as the serious racer type, not focused enough, not that single-minded (yet). Maybe with her name she could swing a older VG boat one day but I can't see her being competitive.

She may end up like Jesse Martin, who she sort of reminds me of -- what's he doing now?

After reading the story Salty posted about her dissing the movie, I'm guessing she was old enough to handle the boat but not the business-end of the sponsorships. Somebody paid of a lot of the trip and I'm sure their was pay-back to be made. Making the film, the book, dealing with the publicist, etc. would have all been part of the sponsorships deals I would think. She'll learn, or not. She's still just a kid.

[SaltyMonkey]

Originally Posted by Doodles

She may end up like Jesse Martin, who she sort of reminds me of -- what's he doing now?

Jesse Martin? You mean Aston Martin's brother?

[Doodles]

Originally Posted by SaltyMonkey

Jesse Martin? You mean Aston Martin's brother?

I thought he was Ricky Martin's. ;-)

[deckofficer]

Maybe Dean Martin. He did crash his car into a train.

[Coops]

But he was a train wreck waiting to happen.

Coops.

[Knapweed]

Here's what her dad says:

"As Laura's father I pretty much understand why she does not support that movie. Only a few minutes from all the pictures Laura took [during her voyage] was used for that movie of 90 minutes playtime! Except for a few minutes that were taken during a lull in the wind, there are no pictures that show the sailing. In contrast, a ten minutes lasting dispute between Laura and a reporter – they were arguing because Laura did not want to be in the news – is shown in that movie (that scene was shot by Jillian [Schlesinger, the filmmaker]). Moreover, there are many scenes that create a very strange impression of her journey. Laura does not recognize herself in that movie. It's a big disappointment for the sailing enthusiasts since the movie is about all and everything except for the journey and Laura's passion for sailing."

All I see is a young woman, who feels she and her trip have been unfairly represented. I don't read any teenage petulance into that or that she wants to have her cake and eat it.

No doubt she is a petulant teenager, which speaks volumes to me. She's not an atypical freak of nature, forced to grow up fast. She's "normal" and yet capable of performing like a professional when the needs arise. I see it as a real testament to youth and society's failure to grasp their real potential.

[Prairie Chicken]

+1 Knapweed!

[SaltyMonkey]

Complain all we want.

Criticize her skills all we want.

but...

She did it.

She did it.

[deckofficer]

Last update, Laura is working on S/V Baltazar for Andy Whittaker who owns the company Aloft Alone. Solo Sailor - Solo Climber Laura Dekker - Aloft Alone

[Mycroft]

FYI, "Maidentrip" is now available on Netflix. I can finally see it!

[Rustic Charm]

I have just finished watching this film and it's great. I'm somewhat surprised others (apart from the monkey) haven't been bagging it out. That's the usual custom on cf.

I think it's fantastic and despite what Laura herself may think of it now, when she grows up a bit more she may come to appreciate what a good job the director did in this film.

[Rustic Charm]

Does anyone know if 'wild eyes the abby sunderland story' is available to rent anywhere?

[roverhi]

Watched the movie on Netflix.

It's definitely worth the time. Haven't been following the thread or her trip so wasn't aware of what she was all about. Figured it was parents trying to live through her and pushing her to do the voyage. Apparently it was anything but. She was born in New Zealand on her parents 5 year circumnavigation. When her parent split up after the trip she chose to live with her sailor dad who helped her with her sailing 'Jones', but didn't force her. She developed a love of sailing solo at a young age. She is also a very determined person. How many kids buy their own ocean going boat at 11 years old, sail it all over coastal Holland, and across the Channel to England by their 13th birthday. Incidentally, she neglected to tell her parents she was sailing to England and ended up detained by the police in England. So the next logical progression for her was a solo sail around the world. Her dad helped her with the restoration of the 40' Guppy. Unclear where the money came for that boat but it was bought cheap after lying abandoned for more than a decade and renovated by her with help from her dad.

Really nice to see someone off on a great sailing adventure without tons of electronics, air conditioning, washer/dryer, dishwasher and all the other bells and whistles that some on this list think are must haves for a daysail. She is taking advantage of her voyage's notoriety but is still living on and Cruising Guppy in New Zealand and beyond.