Solo record breaker Ellen Macarthur has been named to Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People In The World list for 2005. The list features, “global icons whose achievements, accomplishments and innovations are having the greatest impact in 2005.” Previously she was a 2004 Time Magazine European Hero

The list is broken down into categories. How does the solo sailor compare with other honorees?

In the Leaders and Revolutionary categories there is: George W. Bush, Hu Jintao, and Barack Obama. When Ellen reached land after her record she drew a Presidential sized crowd. Ellen probably isn’t well known in Jintao’s China but don’t rule it out. Obama’s trips from the margin to the US Senate is similar to Ellen’s trip from a land locked part of England to the oceans.

The Artists and Entertainers grouping includes: Ann Coulter and Clint Eastwood. Ellen is kinder than Coulter but surely tougher than Eastwood or his characters.

Scientists and thinkers include Karl Rove and Burt Rutan. I suppose some might compare Mark Turner’s support of Ellen to Rove’s support of President Bush. Rutan’s record breaking planes and space craft surely have technological similarities with Ellen’s boats.

The Google Guys and Craig Newmark of Craig’s list fall under builders and Titans. Macarthur has 268,000 results on Google and the Internet is a key component of her visibility.

Ellen along with the Dali Lahma, Lebron James and Oprah Winfry is in the Heroes and Icons category. I’m nor sure of Ellen’s spiritual leanings, nor am I sure if the Dali Lahma sails. Lebron James is younger even than Ellen but not as accomplished in her sport. Don’t see Ellen as a talk show host anytime soon.

Sailing is not a mainstream sport. It’s a lot to ask one person to make people change their habits, but if one sailor can single handedly cause growth it’s Ellen.

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