Sport - Jessica Watson, The Face Of World Championships

Teen sensation and round-the-world sailor Jessica Watson is the official Ambassador of the Perth 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships.

Perth 2011 chairman Ian Campbell made the announcement last Friday.

“The World Championships and Jessica Watson share the same passion and enthusiasm for sport.

“Jessica’s voyage began as a dream, a vision of what could be. Jessica achieved her dream of sailing around the world singlehandedly and along the way captured the hearts of the nation.

“Perth 2011 also has a dream to host an Olympic qualifying Event that will capture the attention of the nation and highlight Perth as a key player in the world of sailing, and that “Dream Begins in Perth!

“Like Jessica, athletes competing at Perth 2011, vying for a place for their nation at the London 2012 Olympic Games Sailing Competition, understand that to achieve a goal, it all begins with a dream or a vision,” he said.

Watson also expressed her enthusiasm to be aligned with one of the biggest sailing events to ever reach Australian shores, organisers said.

“Securing the World Championships is a wonderful coup for the sport of sailing in Australia. It’s an honour to be an Ambassador for such a prestigious event, which I hope will encourage even more people to take up sailing,” said Watson.

Campbell said that Perth 2011 was thrilled with Watson’s appointment, which would assist in reaching the younger demographic and those unfamiliar with sailing, who became interested in the sport by following her journey.

“Jessica Watson is exactly the type of Ambassador we would like to join us on the exciting journey to the World Championships,” said Campbell.

With Watson signed on as the Queensland (QLD) Ambassador, and following the appointment of John Bertrand, of America’s Cup fame, and the ‘Golden Girls’, Beijing 2008 Olympic Gold Medallists Elise Rechichi and Tessa Parkinson, Perth 2011 now has Ambassadors in Qld, Victoria and WA respectively.

Organisers said these high-profile honorary Ambassadors endorse the event and will live the brand, values and mission of Perth 2011 by proactively helping to promote it in their key markets. Perth 2011 plans to sign on Ambassadors in each Australian state and international identities in the UK and USA.

Watson was in Perth last week to promote her book, Jessica Watson – True Spirit, detailing her unassisted 210-day, 24,000nm around the world voyage on her yacht Ella’s Pink Lady.

For more information, please visit www.perth2011.com

Photos: Teen round-the-world solo sailor Jessica Watson at her book signing in Perth last week; where she was also announced by Perth 2011 chairman Ian Campbell as the Qld Ambassador for Perth 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships.