TO ELLEN BBACK IN 72 DAYS; MacArthur Sails into Record Books after Round-the-World Trip

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Byline: By Geoffrey Lakeman

SUPER yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur was crowned Britain's greatest solo sailor late last night. After more than two months at sea, she set a record for the fastest non-stop, round-the-world solo voyage.

She chopped almost 33 hours off the time set by Frenchman Francis Joyon just a year ago of 72 days, 22 hours, 54 minutes and 22 seconds.

Ellen - based on the Isle of Wight - completed the 27,000-mile voyage in 71 days, 14 hours and 18 minutes as she passed Ushant, western France.

She was due to arrive in Falmouth, Cornwall, between 8am and 10am today. But her manager and shore team had already cracked open the bubbly.