MacArthur smashes record by over 33 hours

Yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur returned to Britain today after setting a new record for sailing solo around the world.

MacArthur's yacht B&Q crossed the finish line at Ushant at 22:29 GMT on Monday evening, setting a new record for the round-the-world trip of 71 days, 14 hours, 18 minutes and 33 seconds. She smashed the previous record set by French sailor Francis Joyon who completed the journey in just under 73 days in February last year, by 34 hours 35 minutes.

Speaking after crossing the finish line off Ushant last night, Ellen said: "I just feel elated. I'm absolutely drained. It's been a very tough trip. The whole South Atlantic was terrible for us on the way back up and it's just been one big draining event from there onwards."

She added: "When I crossed the line, I felt like collapsing on the cockpit floor and just falling asleep. I was absolutely over the moon, but just the fact that you can finally let go – when you cross the line it's over. It's just over, you don't have to worry anymore, I think that was the biggest emotion, elation and one of huge relief."

Ellen's 75ft trimaran, B&Q, was escorted back to Falmouth by the Royal Navy Offshore Patrol Vessel HMS Severn. She is expected to arrive in Falmouth at around 11:00 GMT where a huge reception is planned to welcome Ellen home.

Previous world record-holder, Francis Joyon, congratulated Ellen MacArthur on her successful attempt. He said: "I always said that Ellen was a serious contender and I can see today that she has decided to prove me right. The mere fact that she was able to sail around the world non-stop was quite an exploit, but to smash the record at the same time fully deserves my warmest congratulations.

"I was hoping to keep the record for a bit longer, but it was not something that I put on a pedestal either. During the press conference following my arrival, I pointed out that in my opinion it was possible to improve on my time, taking into account my damage and the times when I was becalmed. However, I did not think it would be Ellen beating me so soon, and so magnificently".

B&Q sailed 27,354 miles through the water at an average speed of 15.9 knots.

Joyon's extraordinary solo record-breaking trip averaging 15.5 knots had taken more than two weeks off the previous non-stop best time set by the same 90ft trimaran IDEC, which had a full complement of crew.

In comparison Robin Knox-Johnston, one of Ellen's heroes, in his single-handed trip in 1969 in a slower monohull yacht took 313 days to circumnavigate the globe.

(SP/KMcA)