New York, New York

Ellen chooses to head straight for the States prior to her first record attempt

After crossing the Equator on Thursday last week, Ellen MacArthur has made the decision to sail direct to New York for her first solo record attempt - the west-east transatlantic record currently held by Laurent Bourgnon of just over 7 days. Barring any major problems and the subject to the right weather window, Ellen hopes to take B&Q Castorama on her first record attempt during May.

Her 14,000 mile solo delivery trip on board her new 75ft trimaran started from New Zealand 39 days ago and has been a great proving ground for the performance of the trimaran. So far the Nigel Irens-designed trimaran is exceeding expectations both in its performance and handling. "Though physically demanding, she is a joy to sail, and I really am very pleased with how she performs, under pilot, and in various conditions. In big waves she is unbelievable - skimming over them, haring down them..."

The journey began when B&Q Castorama left the shores of Sydney where she was launched on 8 January to sail to New Zealand for a full boat testing period. MacArthur then sailed from Auckland to the Falkland Islands with her delivery crew of Loik Gallon and Mark Thomas. B&Q's performance in the Southern Ocean was not only reassuring but also revealed the boat's potential in the big sea conditions. The next major test was for MacArthur to learn to handle the 75ft trimaran on her own. And the result is so far, so good! The boat can be hard work for one person, especially in the varying conditions of the Atlantic, as her sails needs instant trimming to keep her moving at her optimum speed. Tired but exultant, MacArthur is happy to go direct to New York in anticipation of her first solo record attempt.

B&Q Castorama is due to arrive in New York early next week. The shore team will be there to meet Ellen and start on the preparation work for the record attempt while looking at possible weather windows for a departure from early May.

Ellen gave her comments from on board: "It's fantastic to be out here and it's great to be sailing solo again. Our delivery trip so far has been great, though a little slow due to a real lack of wind along the Brazilian coast. What should have taken a couple of days sailing has actually taken more than four.

"Last night was wonderful sailing - the sea was pretty flat, there wasn't a drop of spray on board and we were averaging 17 knots... Wind was around the 13 knot mark, and the moon so bright above us that you could have read a book in it's light! Nice though it is, there is a very real feeling that a record attempt is unlikely to hold much of this 'peaceful' sailing, so right now Iam trying to make the most of it, and really 'test' the boat at various moments. One of those unfortunately led to another ascent of the mast (which seems to be my trademark) when the lashing at the head of the genoa chafed and broke under load. We live and learn, but I am glad that I've climbed the mast, and had a lack of wind on this trip - let's hope that's one thing ticked off the list.

"Though physically demanding, she is a joy to sail, and I really am very pleased with how she performs, under pilot, and in various conditions. In big waves she is unbelievable - skimming over them, haring down them - then seemingly never sticking her leeward float in and stopping.

"Though there is without doubt a list of work to undertake, I am happy enough with the boats current state to attempt a transatlantic record attempt on our way home to Europe. Hence our first port of call in the northern hemisphere is looking like New York - unless I have a major failure in the next week or so.

"I am really excited about undertaking the record - and looking forward to many more miles under our three hulls.. all being well at record breaking pace!"

The outright record for sailing singlehanded across the North Atlantic from Ambrose Light to the Lizard point stands at 7 days, 2 hours, 34 mins, 42 sec (average speed 17.15 knots for the 2,925 mile passage) and was set by Laurent Bourgnon in June 1994
aboard the 60ft trimaran, Primagaz.