Around the World in 72.9 Days - NEW WORLD RECORD!

Ellen MacArthur has set a new record for the fastest human sailor to circle the world solo on a multi-hull vessel. The new record is 71 days, 14 hours, 18 minutes and 33 seconds. She beat the existing record by 32 hours, 35 minutes, 49 seconds set by Frenchman Francis Joyon in 2004. It has already been announced Queen Elizabeth will offer Ellen the title "Dame Commander of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order", making her the youngest person to reach such a level in recent times.
What is so special about making a non-stop, solo trip around the globe? According to the BBC "Only five solo sailors have attempted a record circumnavigation on a multihull and only Joyon made it all the way round non-stop." Well now it is Joyon and MacArthur.

Well, I was born in the sign of water
And it's there that I feel my best
The albatross and the whales they are my brothers
It's kind of a special feeling
When you're out on the sea alone
Staring at the full moon, like a lover
- from the song "Cool Change" performed by the Little River Band, words by Glenn Shorrock (c) 1979