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She acquired her early interest in sailing by reading Arthur Ransome's Swallows and Amazons books and is the Patron of the Nancy Blackett Trust which owns and operates Ransome's yacht Nancy Blackett.
She began her attempt to break the solo record for sailing non-stop around the world on November 28, 2004 in a 75-foot (23m) trimaran named "B&Q/Castorama", which was designed by Nigel Irens and Benoit Cabaret.
During her circumnavigation, she set records for the fastest solo voyage to the equator and past the Cape of Good Hope. She crossed the finishing line near the French coast at Ushant at 2229 UTC on February 7, 2005 beating the previous record set by French sailor Francis Joyon by 1 day, 8 hours, 35 minutes, 49 seconds.
The new record for a single-handed circumnavigation (yet to be officially ratified by the World Sailing Speed Record Council) is 71 days 14 hours 18 minutes 33 seconds during which she sailed 27,354 miles at an average speed of 15.9 knots.
Official timekeeper details of record (http://www.teamellen.com/ellen-article-2406.html)
Ellen MacArthur Trust Website (http://www.ellenmacarthurtrust.org/) - The Trust's aim is to support, empower and enliven children suffering from cancer or leukaemia by introducing them to the joys of sailing on the sea.
BBC News article: MacArthur sails into record books (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/sailing/4229079.stm)
WSSRC - World Sailing Speed Record Council (http://www.sailspeedrecords.com/)
Ellen, in her trimaran B&Q, had just battled through one of the most dangerous maritime regions in the world off Cape Horn and had begun her northerly passage through the South Atlantic to the West of the Falkland Islands in winds gusting up to 50 knots.
Ellen left the start line off Ushant on the same day as Gloucester, in November 2004, and it is a privilege for us to be able to rendezvous with her.
Ellen is no stranger to the Forces, having met the frigate HMS Iron Duke in early December on her way south in early December.
DameEllen Patricia MacArthur, DBE (born July 8, 1976) is a British sailor from Whatstandwell near Matlock in Derbyshire, now based in Cowes, Isle of Wight.
Ellen MacArthur is often parodied on the TV show Dead Ringers.
Ellen MacArthur Trust Website - The Trust's aim is to support, empower and enliven children suffering from cancer or leukaemia by introducing them to the joys of sailing on the sea.
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