For the 4th time Ellen Maacarthur sailing the trimararn B&Q has set a new solo record. This one came as she rounded Cape Horn. The new solo record is 44d 23h, 4d 2h faster than Francis Joyon. This time is faster than 3 of the fully crewed Jules Verne trophy holders. Her time from Cape Leeuwin to Cape of Good Hope was a mere 4 hours outside of that set by the fully crewed trimarn Geronimo last winter.

Macarthur sailed in hellish conditions as she apporached Cape Horn acheiveing 30 knots under staysail only as she had doused the main.

During the actual crossing of Cape Horn’s longitude (67 16 degrees west) she reported, “Cold, tired and buggered, basically. Passing the Horn right now and I’m in my bunk, have been asleep.” Goes to show that while Cape Horn is symbolic not an end.

Solo skipper Ellen MacArthur racing the 75-foot trimaran, B&Q around the world on her solo, non-stop record attempt, had time for a quick celebration as she passed Cape Horn - the legendary and final cape of the Southern Ocean.

MacArthur set a time of 44 days, 23 hours, 36 mins to Cape Horn beating the current time of Francis Joyon by over 4 days

Photo: Ellen MacArthur/Offshore Challenges

ELLEN MACARTHUR SOLO ROUND THE WORLD - NEW SOLO TIMES

Ushant-Equator 8d 18h 20m 7/12/04 0230GMT (taking 14h 3m off Joyon’s time)

Ushant-Cape of Good Hope 19d 9h 46m 17/12/04 1756GMT (taking 10h 45m off Joyon’s time)

Ushant-Cape Leeuwin 29d 14h 5m 27/12/04 2215GMT (taking 17h 24m off Joyon’s time)

Ushant-Cape Horn 44d 23h 36m 12/1/04 0746GMT (taking 4 days 2h 45m off Joyon’s time)

Share or bookmark this story: