Record-breaker MacArthur back home
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LONDON, England -- British yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur has arrived home after becoming the fastest person to sail solo around the world.
Some 8,000 people lined the quayside at the southern English port of Falmouth, where the 28-year-old's journey began on November 27.
A flotilla of boats had joined MacArthur's 25-meter trimaran for the final leg of her journey, while small planes buzzed overhead.
Despite earlier admitting that she was "completely exhausted", MacArthur found the energy to light her trademark victory flares and uncork a bottle of champagne.
Earlier a British government spokesman confirmed that MacArthur would receive a damehood, the female equivalent of a knighthood, the UK's Press Association reported. (Full Story)
MacArthur becomes the youngest-ever recipient of the highest royal honor.
"It was an extraordinary experience, quite overwhelming," MacArthur told the crowd after being joined by her parents aboard the trimaran.
"I'm so happy to be back here in Falmouth. We could not have a better reception to come home to.
"It's so fantastic to be here now at the finish, at the finish of this trip having been around the world, having got home. Above all being able to share it, because a record means nothing if you can't actually share it."
With her voice breaking and seemingly close to tears, MacArthur later appeared on a stage to describe how tough her voyage had been.
"There were some times out there that were excruciatingly difficult," she said.
"I have never in my life had to dig as deep as I did in this trip, and not just once or twice, but over consecutive weeks. I don't think I'll ever manage to communicate how difficult this has been.
"Did I imagine I wouldn't be here? To be honest, I don't think I let myself. You have to believe."
MacArthur crossed a "finish line" in the waters between Ushant, France, and the Lizard peninsula in Cornwall on the south coast of England late on Monday after sailing for 71 days, 14 hours, 18 minutes and 33 seconds.
"It's been an absolutely unbelievable voyage, both physically and mentally," MacArthur told British television shortly after crossing the line at about 2229 GMT.
The previous record of 72 days and 23 hours was set by Frenchman Francis Joyon last year.
MacArthur had endured a difficult night after failing to make her final big tack towards the finish point.
"I feel absolutely exhausted but I am elated to be here," she said. "It's been an absolutely unbelievable journey both physically and mentally.
"The whole voyage has been draining and there's a lot of things going round in my head. But it's great that I can finally switch my brain off and relax in the company of others which I've really missed."
Since beginning the 27,000 mile voyage on November 28 MacArthur has slept an average of 30 minutes at a time and four hours in any day.
She has reheated freeze-dried meals on a single burner stove while drinking desalinated sea water.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Queen Elizabeth II both paid tribute to MacArthur. French president Jacques Chirac, in whose country MacArthur is already a household name, also sent his congratulations.
"This is a stunning achievement. The whole country is very proud of Ellen," said Blair.
The queen described MacArthur's voyage as "remarkable and historic."
She said: "Your progress has been followed by many people in Britain and throughout the world, who have been impressed by your courage, skill and stamina."
MacArthur first came to prominence when she finished second in the Vendee Globe round the world race in 2000-2001, becoming the fastest woman and the youngest person to sail around the world.
But when she started out in November, there seemed only a remote chance that she would beat Joyon's record. He had knocked 20 days off the previous best and was the first person to do the trip non-stop in a multi-hull boat.
MacArthur had built a four-day lead on Joyon's time when she reached the halfway mark by rounding Cape Horn on New Year's Eve but she slipped behind the Frenchman's pace when she was buffeted by heavy storms in the southern ocean.
She also badly burned her arm on a generator and twice had to climb the mast to repair mainsail damage. But, after narrowly avoiding a collision with a whale, MacArthur restored her lead in good weather after crossing the Equator.
"I always said Ellen was a serious contender and I can see that she has decided to prove me right," Joyon told the UK's Press Association.
"The mere fact that she was able to sail around the world non-stop was quite an exploit, but to smash the record at the same time fully deserves my warmest congratulations."
