MacArthur burns arm in record bid

YACHTSWOMAN Ellen MacArthur has badly burned her arm in an accident as she bids to become the fastest person to sail single-handedly round the world.

Yesterday, she was halfway between New Zealand and Cape Horn on day 40 of her attempt to beat the record held by Frenchman Francis Joyon. Her lead over Joyon’s time now stands at three days, 17 hours and 23 minutes.

She suffered the injury while changing from her back-up generator to her main generator on her 75ft boat B&Q.

“The last three days of sailing have been undoubtedly the worst of my career,” she said.

“Never before have I experienced winds more unstable, more aggressive, more unpredictable.

“My body has been pushed beyond its limits. Once again I found myself screaming at the heavens. I sat there reading people’s encouragement (on email), and quite honestly cried.”

MacArthur has to better 72 days, 22 hours, 54 minutes and 22 seconds which Joyon set in February last year for the 27,000 mile challenge.