Ellen MacArthur of Great Britain (R) skipper of Kingfisher crosses the starting line off Les Sables D'Olonne on France's atlantic coast November 09 2000. MacArthur is one of the 24 skippers taking part in the 4th edition of the Vendee Globe solo round-the-world sailing race, a non-stop 25,000 nautical miles race (46000 kms) which lasts at least three months.