A Message to Abby From Team Abby

Abby,
After much long and lengthy discussion, Team Abby has decided that to be certain that everyone in the official yachting world fully accepts the fact, that you truly sailed around the world solo... we have decided you will need to sail around the world twice, just to prove to them that you indeed actually did it.

But... now, don't freak out... hear us out on this... At least on the second lap, you will be able to do it on the equatorial route where it will be much warmer. See, that's not so bad now, is it?
Now, we know that during this long discussion, the subject of pirates did come up, with everyone's concern that there is a real danger they might stalk and kidnap you for ransom somewhere during your second lap around in the equatorial waters. And we know that the possibility of pirates totally freaks you out. So, as a solution, Scott offered to put in a call to his friends he knows in the US Coast Guard, (he has had many encounters with them, usually on random boat safety inspections where he regularly gets written up for not having any of the required safety items, but that's another story) and managed after much whining and pleading on his part to get them to agree that for the portion from the eastern Mediterranean Sea, where you will enter the Suez Canal, and all the way across the Indian Ocean, and past Malaysia where Zac had his close encounter, they will follow you with either a Coast Guard Cutter, or a US Navy Destroyer, but always keeping a distance of at least a nautical mile, yet remain close enough where you could call them on the emergency VHF hailing frequency if you see any boats approaching you suspect maybe might be pirate boats. (Them flying the black skull and crossbones flag is usually your first clue, so watch for that.)

I know, this sounds like a really big deal, but they assure us it really isn't because the Coast Guard and Navy already have ships on station in the Indian Ocean, and they are bored out of their minds because the pirates are really hard to find... and they figure that Wild Eyes would be a lot like honey attracting bees... it will draw the pirates out so they can capture them just before they get to you. But, it get better... since they know you are bored out of your mind at times as well, they have agreed to tutor you, via the VHF radio, in all that school work you have been so carefully avoiding on your first lap around the world. Just think, with the Coast Guard sailor's help and encouragement, you might actually get through your freshman year of college too!
And, just in case the pirates slip by the Coast Guard and manage to kidnap you anyway, we have started a PayPal fund, managed by Jeff, to raise the ransom money we will use to buy you back. Jeff reports that so far, he has raised $38, which we all feel should be plenty of money, we hope.
See, so it's not looking so difficult after all is it? Think of all the benefits... a tan in the tropics... lots of (hopefully cute) guys, just a little older than you, to chat with for days on end. Who knows who you might meet?
Anyway... enough about the benefits... We at Team Abby just wanted to let you know, as soon as we made the decision, that we thought a second lap to assure everyone that you actually did sail around the world would be necessary, just to be sure, and that we have made every and all arrangements that you would be safe doing it... and we want you to know...








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... that since today is April 1st,
April Fools!


Yuk, Yuk, Yuk, from Team Abby. We really had you going, didn't we? No? :-(

You are doing great Abby... keep it up! And, you really really only need to go around just once....