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28/01/2005
In doldrums but MacArthur breaks equator record
Last night solo British yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur crossed the equator at 9.45 GMT (Thursday) in a new fastest solo time of 60 days, 13 hours and 35 minutes, but is still in the grip of the mainly light wind area known as the doldrums.
At that stage she had managed to shave 1 day, 10 hours and 50 minutes off the previous fastest solo time set by Frenchman Francis Joyon. At the time of the crossing, the calculated time showed a greater margin as her 75ft trimaran B&Q was effectively closer to the finish than Joyon as she crossed the Equator a few miles further east, and therefore closer to the finish.
According to unofficial timings, this is MacArthur's fifth new solo speed record achieved since she set off on her west to east solo round-the-world voyage. Subject to ratification, Ellen has set a new solo Equator to Equator record of 51 days, 19 hours and 15 minutes.
However, Ellen is not expected to clear the doldrums, the hot equatorial area infamous for its fluky light winds, until later tonight.
In her morning report Ellen said: "Wind up and down, fluctuating between 5 and 9 knots, and its gone further to the north which is a good sign."
Despite reaching the Equator, B&Q's average speed has been decreasing overnight, from 15 knots to 6 knots this morning, but she has been reluctant to hoist B&Q's massive light wind sail, which can only be set in winds up to 8 knots.
Satellite pictures of the area show cloud and shower activity along her course and with each shower bringing the risk of no wind or violent squalls changing to a larger sail could be disastrous. Similarly, hitting a windless spot could cost Ellen the advantage that she has painstakingly built up to 1 day and 13 hours as of 7.52 GMT on Friday.
At this stage in his record holding run, Francis Joyon started to speed up dramatically and MacArthur is hopeful that she can escape the doldrums and pick up the NE trade winds in good time for the last dash of the voyage north in the Atlantic.
In terms of wind strength, the weather outlook for the North Atlantic ahead is not currently that good. A large high pressure sitting over Ireland is 'blocking' a more favourable wind pattern for the homeward leg.
Keep up to date by visiting www.teamellen.com.
(SP)
At that stage she had managed to shave 1 day, 10 hours and 50 minutes off the previous fastest solo time set by Frenchman Francis Joyon. At the time of the crossing, the calculated time showed a greater margin as her 75ft trimaran B&Q was effectively closer to the finish than Joyon as she crossed the Equator a few miles further east, and therefore closer to the finish.
According to unofficial timings, this is MacArthur's fifth new solo speed record achieved since she set off on her west to east solo round-the-world voyage. Subject to ratification, Ellen has set a new solo Equator to Equator record of 51 days, 19 hours and 15 minutes.
However, Ellen is not expected to clear the doldrums, the hot equatorial area infamous for its fluky light winds, until later tonight.
In her morning report Ellen said: "Wind up and down, fluctuating between 5 and 9 knots, and its gone further to the north which is a good sign."
Despite reaching the Equator, B&Q's average speed has been decreasing overnight, from 15 knots to 6 knots this morning, but she has been reluctant to hoist B&Q's massive light wind sail, which can only be set in winds up to 8 knots.
Satellite pictures of the area show cloud and shower activity along her course and with each shower bringing the risk of no wind or violent squalls changing to a larger sail could be disastrous. Similarly, hitting a windless spot could cost Ellen the advantage that she has painstakingly built up to 1 day and 13 hours as of 7.52 GMT on Friday.
At this stage in his record holding run, Francis Joyon started to speed up dramatically and MacArthur is hopeful that she can escape the doldrums and pick up the NE trade winds in good time for the last dash of the voyage north in the Atlantic.
In terms of wind strength, the weather outlook for the North Atlantic ahead is not currently that good. A large high pressure sitting over Ireland is 'blocking' a more favourable wind pattern for the homeward leg.
Keep up to date by visiting www.teamellen.com.
(SP)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A mild and breezy Christmas Day. Also rather cloudy but mainly dry with a few bright or sunny spells developing, more especially over parts of Antrim and County Down. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy, mainly dry at first this evening but then occasional outbreaks of rain developing overnight. Light southwest winds, and staying mild. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
