13.10.2004
ELLEN MACARTHUR NAMED 'TIME' MAGAZINE HERO....
IN BRIEF
* ELLEN MACARTHUR SELECTED AS ONE OF 'TIME' MAGAZINE'S 2004 EUROPEAN HEROES.....
* B&Q TRIMARAN GOES BACK IN THE WATER ON FRIDAY AT THE FRENCH BASE IN LORIENT AFTER A FOUR WEEK REFIT IN PREPARATION FOR THE ROUND THE WORLD RECORD ATTEMPT...
* NEW 'LIFE-SAVING' MAN OVER BOARD OPERATIONAL SYSTEM INSTALLED ON BOARD
* MACARTHUR TO GO ON STANDBY FROM MID-NOVEMBER IN QUEST TO BE FASTEST SOLO SAILOR ON THE PLANET...
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IN DETAIL
TIME MAGAZINE HONOURS ITS HEROES...
Time Magazine has paid "tribute to 29 dazzling people who shine their light on the world..." in their October 11 special issue. Ellen MacArthur was selected for her inspiration in 'Setting Sail for Greatness' and her work with the Ellen MacArthur Trust that takes young children suffering from cancer sailing. Ellen is featured alongside 28 other heroes from all walks of life who have made an impact on the environment they work in. The European Heroes include Anita Roddick, founder of The Body Shop who campaigns for human rights, fair trade and social justice; actress Emma Thompson who is an ambassador for ActionAid since 2001; and Otylia Jedrzejczak of Poland who won a gold medal in Athens in the 200m butterfly finals and has committed to auctioning her medal to help raise money for children suffering from leukemia. The European Heroes were chosen as 'they inspire, create, devote themselves to others, and even risk their lives...'
www.time.com
B&Q UNDERGOES 'ROUND THE WORLD' REFIT...
Since returning to her French base in Lorient in mid-September, the 75-foot trimaran <> has been undergoing an intensive refit to get her in 'round the world' record mode. A team headed up by Project Manager, Oli Allard, have been working round the clock to prepare <> to go back in the water this Friday. "The work list was pretty long," said Ellen. "But, as usual, the guys have been doing a great job and nearly every box is now ticked. Once she is craned back in the water, the rig will go in and then we will back doing some further sea trials and media work before sailing <> to Plymouth in the UK to officially go on standby for our attempt on the solo, round the world record."
The index refit work has focused on a major structural check, overhaul and refit of new deck gear, replacement of rigging and running rigging as well as a full suite of new sails including a new Code 0 (front sail). In addition, the team have installed a new, potentially, life-saving system that allows Ellen to operate a launching mechanism for a single person life raft in a man overboard situation via remote control. "If you fall or get knocked overboard when sailing solo the prospects are pretty grim," said Ellen, "but with this new system that has been pioneered in France, I can launch the life raft away from the boat."
STANDBY FROM MID-NOVEMBER ...
If all goes to plan, Ellen hopes <> will be on standby from mid-November. <> will leave Lorient in France for Plymouth where she will be stationed on standby for her solo, round the world record attempt. In her quest to become the fastest solo sailor on the planet, Ellen will have to beat the existing record set by Joyon on his 90ft trimaran, IDEC, of 72 days, 22 hours, 54 minutes and 22 seconds .
NOTES ON PREVIOUS RECORDS:
MacArthur currently holds four solo sailing race records:
* Plymouth (UK) to Newport (US) east-west transatlantic 14 days, 23 hours, 11 minutes (fastest female and winner of Class 1 / Kingfisher monohull).
* Fastest female to race solo around the world in the 2000/2001 Vendée Globe in 94 days, 4 hours, 25 minutes, 40 seconds and finishing 2nd overall (Kingfisher monohull).
* Route du Rhum race (St Malo, France to Guadeloupe) new course record 13 days, 13 hours, 31 minutes, 47 seconds (Kingfisher monohull).
* Fastest female solo to cross the Atlantic west to east in 7 days, 3 hours, 49 minutes, 57 seconds (<> trimaran).
Click here for further information click on Sailing Speed Records and TeamEllen for information on Ellen's campaign
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