Britain's yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur holds flares as she arrives in Falmouth, Cornwall on her trimaran, after breaking the record for sailing solo round the world, February 8, 2005. "I'm elated and absolutely drained," a tearful MacArthur said by radio after crossing the finishing line in just over 71 days and 14 hours to smash the record set last year. 

Britain's yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur gestures as she arrives in Falmouth, Cornwall on her trimaran, after breaking the record for sailing solo round the world, February 8, 2005. "I'm elated and absolutely drained," a tearful MacArthur said by radio after crossing the finishing line in just over 71 days and 14 hours to smash the record set last year. 

Britain's yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur sprays champagne in celebration as she arrives in Falmouth, Cornwall on her trimaran, after breaking the record for sailing solo round the world, February 8, 2005. "I'm elated and absolutely drained," a tearful MacArthur said by radio after crossing the finishing line in just over 71 days and 14 hours to smash the record set last year. 

Britain's yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur tips champagne off the side of her trimaran, after arriving in Falmouth after breaking the record for sailing solo round the world, February 8, 2005. "I'm elated and absolutely drained," a tearful MacArthur said by radio after crossing the finishing line in just over 71 days and 14 hours to smash the record set last year. 

Britain's yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur holds flares as she arrives in Falmouth, Cornwall on her trimaran, after breaking the record for sailing solo round the world, February 8, 2005. "I'm elated and absolutely drained," a tearful MacArthur said by radio after crossing the finishing line in just over 71 days and 14 hours to smash the record set last year. 

Britain's yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur arrives in Falmouth, Cornwall on her trimaran B&Q following her successful solo, non-stop round the world record of 71 days, 14 hours, 18 minutes and 33 seconds February 8, 2005. [MacArthur beat the previous record held by Frenchman Francis Joyon by 1 day, 8 hours, 35 minutes, and 49 seconds.] 

Britain's yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur tips champagne off the side of her trimaran, after arriving in Falmouth after breaking the record for sailing solo round the world, February 8, 2005. "I'm elated and absolutely drained," a tearful MacArthur said by radio after crossing the finishing line in just over 71 days and 14 hours to smash the record set last year. REUTERS/Stephen Hird SH/MD 

Britain's yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur sprays champagne in celebration as she arrives in Falmouth, Cornwall on her trimaran, after breaking the record for sailing solo round the world, February 8, 2005. "I'm elated and absolutely drained," a tearful MacArthur said by radio after crossing the finishing line in just over 71 days and 14 hours to smash the record set last year. REUTERS/Stephen Hird SH/MD/AA 

Britain's yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur gestures as she arrives in Falmouth, Cornwall on her trimaran, after breaking the record for sailing solo round the world, February 8, 2005. "I'm elated and absolutely drained," a tearful MacArthur said by radio after crossing the finishing line in just over 71 days and 14 hours to smash the record set last year. REUTERS/Stephen Hird SH/MD/AA 

Britain's yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur holds flares as she arrives in Falmouth, Cornwall on her trimaran, after breaking the record for sailing solo round the world, February 8, 2005. "I'm elated and absolutely drained," a tearful MacArthur said by radio after crossing the finishing line in just over 71 days and 14 hours to smash the record set last year. REUTERS/Stephen Hird Pictures of the Year 2005 SH/MD/AA 

Britain's yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur holds flares as she arrives in Falmouth, Cornwall on her trimaran, after breaking the record for sailing solo round the world, February 8, 2005. "I'm elated and absolutely drained," a tearful MacArthur said by radio after crossing the finishing line in just over 71 days and 14 hours to smash the record set last year. REUTERS/Stephen Hird SH/MD/AA 

Britain's yachtswoman MacArthur is joined by her parents after after breaking the record for sailing solo round the world. Britain's yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur (C) celebrates with her parents Ken and Avril MacArthur (R), after arriving in Falmouth, Cornwall on her trimaran, after breaking the record for sailing solo round the world, February 8, 2005. "I'm elated and absolutely drained," a tearful MacArthur said by radio after crossing the finishing line in just over 71 days and 14 hours to smash the record set last year. REUTERS/Stephen Hird 

Britain's yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur arrives in Falmouth, Cornwall on her trimaran B&Q following her successful solo, non-stop round the world record of 71 days, 14 hours, 18 minutes and 33 seconds February 8, 2005. MacArthur beat the previous record held by Frenchman Francis Joyon by 1 day, 8 hours, 35 minutes, and 49 seconds. REUTERS/Stephen Hird SH/THI 

Britain's yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur holds flares as she arrives in Falmouth, Cornwall on her trimaran, after breaking the record for sailing solo round the world, February 8, 2005. "I'm elated and absolutely drained," a tearful MacArthur said by radio after crossing the finishing line in just over 71 days and 14 hours to smash the record set last year. REUTERS/Stephen Hird SH/MD/AA 

Britain's yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur sprays champagne in celebration as she arrives in Falmouth, Cornwall on her trimaran, after breaking the record for sailing solo round the world, February 8, 2005. "I'm elated and absolutely drained," a tearful MacArthur said by radio after crossing the finishing line in just over 71 days and 14 hours to smash the record set last year. REUTERS/Stephen Hird SH/MD/AA 

Britain's yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur holds flares as she arrives in Falmouth, Cornwall on her trimaran, after breaking the record for sailing solo round the world, February 8, 2005. "I'm elated and absolutely drained," a tearful MacArthur said by radio after crossing the finishing line in just over 71 days and 14 hours to smash the record set last year. Pictures of the month February 2005 REUTERS/Stephen Hird SH/MD/AA 

Britain's yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur holds flares as she arrives in Falmouth, Cornwall on her trimaran, after breaking the record for sailing solo round the world, February 8, 2005. "I'm elated and absolutely drained," a tearful MacArthur said by radio after crossing the finishing line in just over 71 days and 14 hours to smash the record set last year. REUTERS/Stephen Hird SH/MD/AA 

Britain's yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur jumps in the air in celebration as she arrives in Falmouth, Cornwall on her trimaran, after breaking the record for sailing solo round the world, February 8, 2005. "I'm elated and absolutely drained," a tearful MacArthur said by radio after crossing the finishing line in just over 71 days and 14 hours to smash the record set last year. REUTERS/Stephen Hird SH/MD 

Britain's yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur holds flares as she arrives in Falmouth, Cornwall on her trimaran, after breaking the record for sailing solo round the world, February 8, 2005. "I'm elated and absolutely drained," a tearful MacArthur said by radio after crossing the finishing line in just over 71 days and 14 hours to smash the record set last year. REUTERS/Stephen Hird SH/MD 

Britain's yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur arrives in Falmouth, Cornwall on her trimaran B&Q following her successful solo, non-stop round the world record of 71 days, 14 hours, 18 minutes and 33 seconds February 8, 2005. MacArthur beat the previous record held by Frenchman Francis Joyon by 1 day, 8 hours, 35 minutes, and 49 seconds. REUTERS/Stephen Hird SH/MD 

Britain's yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur arrives in Falmouth, Cornwall on her trimaran B&Q following her successful solo, non-stop round the world record of 71 days, 14 hours, 18 minutes and 33 seconds February 8, 2005. MacArthur beat the previous record held by Frenchman Francis Joyon by 1 day, 8 hours, 35 minutes, and 49 seconds. REUTERS/Stephen Hird SH/JV 

The clock timing Britain's yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur's round the world record attempt counts down in front of a large video screen in Falmouth marina. The clock timing Britain's yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur's round the world record attempt counts down in front of a large video screen in Falmouth marina, February 7, 2005, where she is expected to finish early tomorrow. Exhausted British yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur closed in on the solo round-the-world sailing record on Monday as hundreds of supporters gathered on the coastline to welcome her. REUTERS/Stephen Hird 

British yachtswoman Emma Richards looks through a rain soaked window on her return to Helensburgh Yacht Club in Scotland May 9, 2003. Richards became the first woman and the youngest person to complete the 29,000-mile Around Alone yacht race on Sunday, when she finished fourth overall [in Newport, Rhode Island, U.S.] The 28-year-old helmed the 60-foot racing yacht Pindar across the line in perfect conditions at 2015 GMT to finish the eight-month round the world solo race. 

British yachtswoman Emma Richards shelters from the rain as she is welcomed back at Helensburgh Yacht club in Scotland May 9, 2003. Richards became the first woman and the youngest person to complete the 29,000-mile Around Alone yacht race on Sunday, when she finished fourth overall [in Newport, Rhode Island, U.S.] The 28-year-old helmed the 60-foot racing yacht Pindar across the line in perfect conditions at 2015 GMT to finish the eight-month round the world solo race. 

British yachtswoman Emma Richards sits in a sailing boat on her return to Helensburgh Yacht club in Scotland May 9, 2003. Richards became the first woman and the youngest person to complete the 29,000-mile Around Alone yacht race on Sunday, when she finished fourth overall [in Newport, Rhode Island, U.S.] 

British yachtswoman Emma Richards looks through a rain-soaked window on her
return to Helensburgh Yacht Club in Scotland May 9, 2003. Richards became
the first woman and the youngest person to complete the 29,000-mile Around
Alone yacht race on Sunday, when she finished fourth overall in Newport,
Rhode Island, U.S. The 28-year-old helmed the 60-foot racing yacht Pindar
across the line in perfect conditions at 2015 GMT to finish the eight-month
round the world solo race. Pictures of the month May 2003 REUTERS/Jeff J
Mitchell

JJM/MD/WS 

British yachtswoman Emma Richards shelters from the rain as she is
welcomed back at Helensburgh Yacht club in Scotland May 9, 2003.
Richards became the first woman and the youngest person to complete the
29,000-mile Around Alone yacht race on Sunday, when she finished fourth
overall in Newport, Rhode Island, U.S. The 28-year-old helmed the
60-foot racing yacht Pindar across the line in perfect conditions at
2015 GMT to finish the eight-month round the world solo race.
REUTERS/Jeff J Mitchell

JJM/MD/WS 

British yachtswoman Emma Richards sits in a sailing boat on her return to
Helensburgh Yacht club in Scotland May 9, 2003. Richards became the first
woman and the youngest person to complete the 29,000-mile Around Alone yacht
race on Sunday, when she finished fourth overall in Newport, Rhode Island,
U.S. PP03050090 REUTERS/Jeff J Mitchell

JJM/MD/JV 

British yachtswoman Emma Richards arrives back at Heathrow Airport in London on May 7, 2003. Richards became the first woman and the youngest person to complete the 29,000-mile Around Alone yacht race on Sunday, when she finished fourth overall in Newport, Rhode Island, U.S. The 28-year-old helmed the 60-foot racing yacht Pindar across the line in perfect conditions at 2015 GMT to finish the eight-month round the world solo race. 

British yachtswoman Emma Richards arrives back at Heathrow airport in London on May 7, 2003. Richards became the first woman and the youngest person to complete the 29,000-mile Around Alone yacht race on Sunday, when she finished fourth overall in Newport, Rhode Island, U.S. The 28-year-old helmed the 60-foot racing yacht Pindar across the line in perfect conditions at 2015 GMT to finish the eight-month round the world solo race. 

British yachtswoman Emma Richards (R), is greeted by her brother Dave
Richards as she arrives back at Heathrow Airport in London on May 7,
2003. Richards became the first woman and the youngest person to
complete the 29,000-mile Around Alone yacht race on Sunday, when she
finished fourth overall in Newport, Rhode Island, U.S. The 28-year-old
helmed the 60-foot racing yacht Pindar across the line in perfect
conditions at 2015 GMT to finish the eight-month round the world solo
race. REUTERS/Hugo Philpott

HP/MD 

British yachtswoman Emma Richards arrives back at Heathrow Airport in
London on May 7, 2003. Richards became the first woman and the youngest
person to complete the 29,000-mile Around Alone yacht race on Sunday,
when she finished fourth overall in Newport, Rhode Island, U.S. The
28-year-old helmed the 60-foot racing yacht Pindar across the line in
perfect conditions at 2015 GMT to finish the eight-month round the
world solo race. REUTERS/Hugo Philpott

HP/MD 

British yachtswoman Emma Richards arrives back at Heathrow airport in
London on May 7, 2003. Richards became the first woman and the youngest
person to complete the 29,000-mile Around Alone yacht race on Sunday,
when she finished fourth overall in Newport, Rhode Island, U.S. The
28-year-old helmed the 60-foot racing yacht Pindar across the line in
perfect conditions at 2015 GMT to finish the eight-month round the
world solo race. REUTERS/Hugo Philpott

HP/MD 

British yachtswoman Emma Richards (R), is greeted by her brother Dave
Richards as she arrives back at Heathrow airport in London on May 7,
2003. Richards became the first woman and the youngest person to
complete the 29,000-mile Around Alone yacht race on Sunday, when she
finished fourth overall in Newport, Rhode Island, U.S. The 28-year-old
helmed the 60-foot racing yacht Pindar across the line in perfect
conditions at 2015 GMT to finish the eight-month round the world solo
race. REUTERS/Hugo Philpott

HP/MD 

British yachtswoman Emma Richards (L), is greeted by fellow yachtswoman
Tracy Edwards and her daughter Mackenna as she arrives back at Heathrow
airport in London on May 7, 2003. Richards became the first woman and
the youngest person to complete the 29,000-mile Around Alone yacht race
on Sunday, when she finished fourth overall in Newport, Rhode Island,
U.S. The 28-year-old helmed the 60-foot racing yacht Pindar across the
line in perfect conditions at 2015 GMT to finish the eight-month round
the world solo race. REUTERS/Hugo Philpott

HP/MD 

Emma Richards, 27-year-old solo yachtswoman and skipper of Pindar,
leaves Cape Town South Africa on the third leg of the Around Alone
yacht race December 14, 2002. The third leg takes the yachts from Cape
Town to Tauranga, New Zealand through the Southern Ocean. REUTERS/Wayne
Conradie

WC/JDP 

Emma Richards, 27-year-old solo yachtswoman and skipper of Pindar,
leaves Cape Town South Africa on the third leg of the Around Alone
yacht race December 14, 2002. The third leg takes the yachts from Cape
Town to Tauranga, New Zealand through the Southern Ocean. REUTERS/Wayne
Conradie

XX 

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II is greeted by British rower Sir Steve
Redgrave (L) and British yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur (C) on her arrival
at the City of Manchester Stadium for the opening ceremony of the 2002
Commonwealth Games July 25, 2002. In total some 5,000 athletes from 72
countries will compete in 14 individual and three team sports during
the 17th Commonwealth Games in Manchester. REUTERS/Darren Staples

DC/NMB 

Round the World Yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur holds the FICO Lacoste
Skippered World Championship Trophy as she stands on her yacht
"Kingfisher" at the opening of the 48th London Boat Show at Earls Court
January 3, 2002. MacArthur's boat "Kingfisher", in which she raced in
the Vendee Globe, is among 800 boats on show at the event.
REUTERS/Stephen Hird

PS 

Round the World Yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur sit on her yacht
"Kingfisher" as she opens the 48th London Boat Show at Earls Court
January 3, 2002. MacArthur's boat "Kingfisher", in which she raced in
the Vendee Globe, is among 800 boats on show at the event.
REUTERS/Stephen Hird

PS 

Round the World Yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur holds the FICO Lacoste
Skippered World Championship Trophy as she stands on her yacht
"Kingfisher" at the opening of the 48th London Boat Show at Earls Court
January 3, 2002. MacArthur's boat "Kingfisher", in which she raced in
the Vendee Globe, is among 800 boats on show at the event.
REUTERS/Stephen Hird

PS 

Round the World Yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur stands on her yacht
"Kingfisher" as she opens the 48th London Boat Show at Earls Court
January 3, 2002. MacArthur's boat "Kingfisher", in which she raced in
the Vendee Globe, is among 800 boats on show at the event.
REUTERS/Stephen Hird

PS 

British sailor Ellen MacArthur poses for photographers with her MBE after receiving it from Britain's [Queen Elizabeth] at Buckingham Palace, London, December 12, 2001. The 24-year-old round the world yachtswoman is one of the youngest ever Members of the British Empire. 

British sailor Ellen MacArthur poses for photographers with her MBE
after receiving it from Britain's Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace,
London, December 12, 2001. The 24-year-old round the world yachtswoman
is one of the youngest ever Members of the British Empire.
REUTERS/Kirsty Wigglesworth/POOL

MC 

Ellen MacArthur (L) the 24-year-old British star of the Vendee Globe round-the world yacht race speaks at a reception in Paris given by her sponsors, Kingfisher, March 9, 2001. MacArthur announced her future plans which included two future joint races with Gautier aboard his trimaran, a transatlantic race and a race from France to Brazil.

MAL/ 

Ellen MacArthur (L) the 24-year-old British star of the Vendee Globe round-the world yacht race speaks at a reception in Paris given by her sponsors, Kingfisher, March 9, 2001. MacArthur announced her future plans which included two future joint races with Gautier aboard his trimaran, a transatlantic race and a race from France to Brazil.

MAL/ 

Ellen MacArthur (L) the 24-year-old British star of the Vendee Globe round-the world yacht race speaks at a reception in Paris given by her sponsors, Kingfisher, March 9, 2001. MacArthur announced her future plans which included two future joint races with Gautier aboard his trimaran, a transatlantic race and a race from France to Brazil.

MAL/ 

Ellen MacArthur (L) the 24-year-old British star of the Vendee Globe round-the world yacht race speaks at a reception in Paris given by her sponsors, Kingfisher, March 9, 2001. MacArthur announced her future plans which included two future joint races with Gautier aboard his trimaran, a transatlantic race and a race from France to Brazil.

MAL/ 

Ellen MacArthur (L) the 24-year-old British star of the Vendee Globe round-the world yacht race and veteran French skipper Alain Gautier (R) pose for media following a reception in Paris by their sponsors, Kingfisher, March 9, 2001. MacArthur announced her future plans which included two future joint races with Gautier aboard his trimaran, a transatlantic race and a race from France to Brazil.

MAL/CLH/ 

Ellen MacArthur (L) the 24-year-old British star of the Vendee Globe round-the world yacht race poses for media near the Eiffel Tower following a reception in Paris by her sponsors, Kingfisher, March 9, 2001. MacArthur announced her future plans which included two future joint races with Gautier aboard his trimaran, a transatlantic race and a race from France to Brazil.

MAL/ 

Ellen MacArthur (L) the 24-year-old British star of the Vendee Globe round-the world yacht race and veteran French skipper Alain Gautier (R) seen as they pose for media following a reception in Paris by their sponsors, Kingfisher, March 9, 2001. MacArthur announced her future plans which included two future joint races with Gautier aboard his trimaran, a transatlantic race and a race from France to Brazil.

MAL/ 

Ellen MacArthur (L) the 24-year-old British star of the Vendee Globe round-the world yacht race and veteran French skipper Alain Gautier (R) pose for media following a reception in Paris by their sponsors, Kingfisher, March 9, 2001. MacArthur announced her future plans which included two future joint races with Gautier aboard his trimaran, a transatlantic race and a race from France to Brazil.

MAL/CLH/ 

British yachtswoman Ellen Macarthur burns a flare on her return to England at Southampton docks February 15, 2001. MacArthur, 24, came second in the Vendee Globe round the world solo yacht race which finished in France on Sunday, becoming the youngest person and the fastest woman to do so. 

British yachtswoman Ellen Macarthur (C) is surrounded by media and well wishers on her arrival back at Southampton docks February 15 2001. MacArthur, 24, came second in the Vendee Globe round the world solo yacht race which finished in France on Sunday, becoming the youngest person and the fastest woman to do so.

KD 

British yachtswoman Ellen Macarthur burns a flare on her return to England at Southampton docks February 15, 2001. MacArthur, 24, came second in the Vendee Globe round the world solo yacht race which finished in France on Sunday, becoming the youngest person and the fastest woman to do so.

KD/WS 

POY - YEAREND PICTURES 2001 - British sailor Ellen MacArthur hangs off
her boat Kingfisher as she returns to English shores just off
Southampton February 15, 2001. MacArthur, 24, came second in the Vendee
Globe Round the World solo yacht race, becoming the fastest
single-handed female navigator. MacArthur was later named 2001 Sailor
of the Year. REUTERS

AS 

British Olympic Europe class yachtswoman Shirley Robertson (L) shelters under an umbrella with coach Mark Littlejohn during a break in sailing due to shifty winds on Sydney Harbour September 26, 2000. Robertson is overall leader in the Europe class dinghies.

WB 

FILE PHOTO OF 6FEB98 - Italian yachtsman Giovanni Soldini is shown in this photograph taken last February 6 at the start of the Around the World Alone yacht race leg in Auckland. Soldini rescued fellow competitor French yachtswoman and race leader Isabelle Autissier after her yacht capsized after battling stormy waters near Antartica for nearly 24 hours.

CC 

FILE PHOTO 21FEB97 - French solo yachtswoman Isabelle Autissier was rescued by Italian navigator Giovanni Soldini in storm-tossed waters near Antarctica, February 16. Autissier, seen in this February 21 1997 file photo, capsized on Monday during her "Around the World Alone" sailing race in extremely tough weather conditions with high seas.

JES/ 

British yachtswoman Tracy Edwards smiles during a news conference on her return to Heathrow airport April 8. The all female crew of the catamaran Sun Alliance had been attempting to beat the record for sailing non-stop around the world, but their yacht was dismasted during a storm in the Southern Ocean, forcing them to give up the bid off the coast of Chile.

BRITAIN