Ellen MacArthur to be made a dame
Yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur has arrived in Falmouth to the news that she is to be made a dame.
At 22:30 GMT she crossed the finish line of island of Ushant, north-western France, to take the world record for the fastest non stop solo sail around the world.
She took 71 days, 19hrs, 18mins and 33secs to complete the gargantuan 27,000-mile trip, taking a day and just under nine hours off the previous record.
MacArthur sailed her yacht into the Cornish harbour to scenes of mass celebration and spoke of the sheer exhaustion she felt after completing her arduous trip.
The 28-year-old said the gruelling journey had been “absolutely unbelievable” both physically and mentally.
The Derbyshire-born sailor added: “I cannot believe it, I absolutely cannot believe it. It hasn’t sunk in yet.
“I don’t think until I see faces again that it’s really going to sink in. I’m absolutely overjoyed.”
She set sail on her B&Q-sponsored 75ft trimaran on November 28th last year.
Tributes have flooded in for her achievement, with both the Queen and the Prime Minister passing on their congratulations.
A statement from the Queen read: “I’m delighted to learn that you have completed your round-the-world journey in record time.
“Since you set sail last November, your progress has been followed by many people in Britain and throughout the world who have been impressed by your courage, skill and stamina.
“I send you my warmest congratulations on your remarkable and historic achievement.”
Tony Blair added: “This is a stunning achievement. The whole country is very proud of Ellen.”
Conservative leader Michael Howard said that he wanted to offer his “warmest congratulations to Ellen” adding that he joined the country “in its admiration of, and pride in, her achievements.’
And it was confirmed that she is to be made a “Dame Commander of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire on the occasion of her record-breaking, solo circumnavigation.”
She already had an MBE for her previous sailing heroics.
