MacArthur waiting on more favourable winds

RECORD breaking British yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur yesterday watched her charge towards the solo non-stop round-the-world record become more of a struggle as she waited for stronger winds.

The 28-year-old from Cowes of the Isle of Wight is on day 22 of her attempt in the 75ft trimaran B&Q to beat the current record.

It was set by Frenchman Francis Joyon who took 72 days, 22 hours, 54 minutes and 22 seconds to sail around the world.

At one stage, overnight in the Southern Ocean, her lead over Joyon was nearly 24 hours.

But at 1410 GMT yesterday the lead was down to just 17 hours and 48 minutes.

MacArthur explained on her website: “I have been pulling my hair out. For seven hours we have been sailing under-powered, waiting for the cold front, that has stronger winds, to arrive.”

MacArthur has now sailed 8,505 miles of the 26,000-mile course.

She has already smashed Joyon’s record from the English Channel to the Cape of Good Hope in Africa by 10 hours 45 minutes.