Ellen MacArthur, Patron of the Nancy Blackett Trust, has broken the solo record for sailing non-stop around the world. Ms. MacArthur, a keen sailor since childhood, beat the record set last year by Francis Joyon by one day, eight hours and thirty-five minutes, in a specially-constructed tri-maran.

As a result of her achievement, Ms. MacArthur has been made a Dame.

Peter Willis, Chairman of the Nancy Blackett Trust, said: “Many congratulations from all of us on your stupendous achievement. We’re intensely proud of you, and full of admiration at the determination you’ve shown not just over the past 72 days, but over your whole career. You truly are an inspiration.

“It is a great day for sailing, and for sailing in Britain and a marvellous outcome of reading all those Arthur Ransome books! And we’re particularly delighted that you chose to set out from and return to Falmouth, which was of course where the Swallows learned to sail, and the furthest that Jim Brading and Uncle Bob had taken the Goblin. Good choice!

“To mark the occasion, we are planning to make a contribution to the Ellen MacArthur Trust.”

Further information about Ms. MacArthur’s achievements may be found on the Team Ellen website, while a comprehensive list of international press coverage about the event is on the NewsNow website. The Ellen MacArthur Trust may be found here.