Abby Sunderland Feared Lost AT Sea

I hope they find her safe.... but seriously? Who the hell would let their kid do this? Who would even do it themselves?

Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.
--Theodore Roosevelt

I'd rather be a failure and living than brave and dead.

- Intelligent Life Form

Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.
--Theodore Roosevelt

Gonna have to agree with Schneed here. If failing means possibly risking my life then F that.

Really don't understand why you would let a 16 year old do this, just doesn't seem smart at all.

I think the fact that her brother sailed solo around the world at age 17 is probably what helped convince her parents that this would be fine.

I think the fact that her brother sailed solo around the world at age 17 is probably what helped convince her parents that this would be fine.

Using that kind of logic is like saying, because I didn't blow my hand off with a grenade this time, I probably won't blow my hand off playing with it next time.

I would assume sailing is a combination of skill and luck and you have to have both to be successful. Her brother had both, she on the other hand seemed to only have one and also had a severe case of stubbornness, seeing as they didn't want to wait until after the bad storm season settled and she could've sailed on calmer waters.

Using that kind of logic is like saying, because I didn't blow my hand off with a grenade this time, I probably won't blow my hand off playing with it next time.

I would assume sailing is a combination of skill and luck and you have to have both to be successful. Her brother had both, she on the other hand seemed to only have one and also had a severe case of stubbornness, seeing as they didn't want to wait until after the bad storm season settled and she could've sailed on calmer waters.

Not defending just saying I suspect that this family, apparently big into sailing, has already let one child sail around the world so felt more comfortable letting another

It's a failure on the parents' part to help the kid maintain a sense of balance in their life.

Pursuit of excellence is great, but it should never come before the days she could have lived from this day forth. At some point, you need to realize that as great as you are at sailing, it's just a hobby.

Seems like it should be obvious. But the parents obviously failed to keep things in perspective.

Well looks like she's just fine. Long live happy endings.

Abby Sunderland is alive and apparently safe aboard her damaged sailboat (http://www.grindtv.com/outdoor/blog/17960/abby+sunderland+is+alive+and+apparently+safe+aboar d+her+damaged+sailboat/)

I also love the people commenting on the link I posted. Talking about how wonderful and brave she is and should be commended for her efforts.

Okay yeah, I agree, the chick is brave and deserves praise for living out her dreams and am definitely glad she's safe. But come the hell on. She wanted to sail around the world at 16! I betcha if she would've died everyone would be talking about what a headstrong child she was and that her parents were idiots and should've channeled her desires into a safer activity.

Everyone has their dreams and desires but I think age needs to be taken into account or at least some sort of waiver needs to be signed by her and her parents stating that she knows she's potentially risking her life.

I don't know. It all seems a bit sideshow to me.