MacArthur sets new record

ELLEN MacArthur set a new record as she crossed the equator for the last time on her solo round-the-world trip. She reached the equator at 2217 GMT, Thursday after 60 days, 13 hours and 35 minutes at sea.

She was one day and 10 hours inside the time set by Francis Joyon, and was 36 hours inside his round-the-world record pace at 1400 GMT yesterday.

There was a further boost when she said there was an 80% chance she was free of the doldrums.

MacArthur’s current advantage owes much to Joyon’s poor two-day run at the same stage when he set the record last February. She will need a strong finish as the Frenchman averaged more than 400 miles a day on the last four days of his voyage.

MacArthur must cross the finish line at Ushant, off the French coast, no later than 0704 GMT on February 9 to break Joyon’s record of 72 days 22 hours 54 minutes and 22 seconds set last February.