Is True Spirit based on a true story?

In True Spirit, tenacious Australian teenager Jessica Watson chases her dreams of becoming the youngest person to complete a global sailing circumnavigation. Is True Spirit based on a true story?

It sounds hard to believe that a 16-year-old could sail for more than 200 days to complete a solo sailing trip around the world, but that’s exactly what happened. Departing from Sydney, Australia in October 2009 on her now-iconic Ella’s Pink Lady sailboat, teenage Jessica Watson sailed thousands nautical miles on a solo, unassisted trip, crossing several of the world’s most dangerous oceans in the process.

Returning approximately seven months later, in May 2010, the Australian teen was awarded the Order of Australia Medal and a place in the Australian Sailing Hall of Fame for her remarkable achievement.

This February, Netflix is turning Watson’s story into the inspiring, heartfelt film True Spirit starring Titans actress Teagan Croft as Jessica Watson. Academy Award-winning actress Anna Paquin and Josh Lawson will play Croft’s on-screen parents, joined by Avatar actor Cliff Curtis as Watson’s sailing coach and mentor, Ben Bryant.

Is True Spirit based on a true story?

Yes, True Spirit is based on the true story of Jessica Watson and her worldwide sailing expedition. A television documentary called 210 Days was also made about Watson’s story, narrated by Sir Richard Branson.

Is True Spirit based on a book?

Watson wrote a book about her experiences similarly titled True Spirit: The Aussie Girl Who Took On The World. If you’d like to learn about Watson’s story before the movie comes out or get a more intimate perspective in her own words, then her book would be a great one to pick up! You can purchase the title from Barnes & Noble.

True Spirit is coming to Netflix on Friday, Feb. 3. Add the movie to your Netflix watchlist now to receive a reminder when it premieres.