FALMOUTH - Ringed by a flotilla of fans, Ellen MacArthur sailed home to a rapturous welcome on Tuesday after breaking the record for sailing solo round the world.
At the end of an epic voyage, thousands of cheering well-wishers lined the seashore to greet the diminutive yachtswoman who looked dwarfed
by her giant trimaran.
"It's overwhelming," she said of the exuberant reception. Dancing with delight on the deck, she held two flares aloft and then sprayed champagne over the crowd.
"I am absolutely drained" added the 28-year-old Briton, who said she was physically and mentally exhausted after sleeping in snatches of no more than 20 minutes over the past two months.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair said "The whole country is very proud of Ellen MacArthur." The Queen honoured her with the title of Dame Ellen.
MacArthur crossed the finishing line on Monday night in just over 71 days and 14 hours.
Her support team then took over and she was able to enjoy the rare luxury of five hours of uninterrupted sleep as the boat headed back to Falmouth in southwestern England.
Her time shaved more than 32 hours off the previous world record set by Frenchman Francis Joyon, who smashed the previous mark by 21 days in what had been described as the perfect sail.
Thousands of people travelled from across Britain to welcome her home, refusing to be deterred by squally showers sweeping across the coast.
"This is nothing compared to what she has been through. She is a hero," said Diana Ledger, huddled beneath her umbrella.
Jo Moore took two days off work and drove 6-1/2 hours from London.
"She's absolutely phenomenal. We've followed her throughout the trip and had to be here today," she said. "It's an amazing achievement -- more people have been in space than have sailed solo round the world without stopping."
Born in the landlocked county of Derbyshire, MacArthur fell in love with the sea when she first went sailing at the age of four. She saved up her school dinner money to buy her first boat at the age of 13.
She shot to fame in 2001 when she finished second in the Vendee Globe round-the-world race, becoming the youngest person to sail round the world solo and the fastest woman.
She has battled hurricanes, dodged icebergs and whales and endured endless sleepless nights through some of the world's most notorious weather spots -- including the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa and round Cape Horn in South America.
Throughout the 42,000km challenge, MacArthur's backup team stayed in touch from their base on the Isle of Wight. Weather centres in Germany and the United States advised her how to handle approaching weather fronts in the multi-million pound operation.
MacArthur reached Cape Horn five days ahead of time, but a serious gale knocked her back and she entered the Atlantic a day off the record.
Although a fast run up the Atlantic clawed back her advantage, dead winds around the Azores islands threatened to kill off her challenge right at the end.
- REUTERS
FALMOUTH - Ringed by a flotilla of fans, Ellen MacArthur sailed home to a rapturous welcome on Tuesday after breaking the record for sailing solo round the world.
At the end of an epic voyage, thousands of cheering well-wishers lined the seashore to greet the diminutive yachtswoman who looked dwarfed
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