The painting depicts Australian teenage sailor, Jessica Watson, at the helm of the 34 foot sloop, Ella’s Pink Lady, in late April 2010, sailing in stormy seas off the Great Australian Bight, under storm jib and heavily reefed mainsail, during her solo around the world sail.
In her blog of the 24th April 2010 Jessica describes the increasing wind and seas during the night and big seas due to a severe low pressure system to the south, and the knock-down that the yacht suffered due to these high seas, and how when she got up in the morning “…the sun was shining and the sea had dropped off some more but was still spectacular…and…totally amazing to watch from under the dodger…”
Further information on this solo voyage can be found at Jessica Watson’s website.
Ella’s Pink Lady Specifications are:-
Design S&S34 (Sparkman and Stephens 34)
LOA 33ft 7in
Waterline length 24ft 2in
Beam 10ft 1in
Draft 6ft