Jessica Watson

Most parents can only speculate and worry about what their kids are up to on a Saturday night, and dream of installing them with a tracking device.

Teenage sailor Jessica Watson says good preparation will be the key to a 14-year-old New Zealand-born girl's bid to become the youngest person to sail solo around the world.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has praised teenage sailor Jess Watson as "Australia's newest hero".

Jessica Watson, the Australian teenager with the strong Central Otago connection, has crossed the finish line of her round-the-world journey, becoming the youngest person to sail solo, nonstop and unassisted around the world.

Tens of thousands of spectators are expected to welcome 16-year-old Australian Jessica Watson home when she sails into Sydney Harbour today.

The Cromwell grandfather of Australian sailor Jessica Watson says claims the teen will not have travelled far enough to claim the record as the youngest person to circumnavigate the globe are nonsense.

Teenager Jessica Watson continues to battle huge swells but has rounded the final cape on her long voyage into the record books.

Teenage solo sailor Jessica Watson has feasted on squid, prawns and Vegemite crackers to celebrate reaching Australian waters.

Jessica Watson has faced her toughest test to date after experiencing hurricane-force wind gusts of up to 70 knots and a swell of seven to 10 metres.

While it has been almost two months since Jessica Watson saw another human being, the teenage adventurer says she is feeling "alone but not lonely''.