First test

Weather window opens for Ellen Macarthur's solo attempt on the west to east transatlantic record

Positions and data at 17:55 GMT

Heading: 122 degrees
Ave BoatSpeed: 20.6 knots (last 5 mins)

True Wind Speed: 21.6 knots
True Wind Direction: 249 degrees
True Wind Angle: 127 degrees

App Wind Speed: 19.2 knots
App Wind Angle: 65 degrees
Mast Angle: 37.9 degrees

Ellen MacArthur set out on her first record attempt last night in her new 75ft trimaran Castorama B&Q. For the last weeks Ellen has been in on stand-by in New York waiting for a suitable weather window to set off on the passage across the North Atlantic to the Lizard.

The big Irens-designed trimaran crossed the line off Ambrose Lighthouse off the mouth of the Hudson River at 22:10 GMT on 21 June in southwesterly winds of 20-25 knots. Originally Ellen was expecting the crossing to be merely a delivery as her weather window has closed and she had to return the boat to Europe. However at the last minute the weather improved and Ellen decided that she would make the attempt.

The present west to east solo record for the North Atlantic was set 10 years ago by Laurent Bourgnon on the 60ft trimaran Primagaz with a time of 7 days 2 hours, 34 minutes and 42 seconds. Ellen will have to cross the line off the Lizard by 00:34:42 GMT on Tuesday 29 June to better Bourgnon's record.

"I’m very excited that after two months in the USA, and ironically just before leaving on the delivery, the weather turned good," commented Ellen before leaving. "The boat is ready, I have been away from the water for a while now so can't wait to get back into it. The weather pattern looks promising however I am quite realistic about our chances. The weather has to be just right - so all fingers crossed for the record. We just have to get out there, go for it, and see what we can do. It’ll be tough leaving the team behind but a great motivation to get to Europe."

The first night at sea has not been an easy one for Ellen: “At most 14 minutes sleep…8 sail changes since have left New York and now I have something on the rudder acting like a giant break on the boat, until daylight there is not much I can do .I also broke part of a winch during the night so its not been an easy start. I am just about hanging on to the average speed I need to stay with this weather system.”

David Roth, Marketing Director B&Q commented: “We wish Ellen the very best of luck with the transatlantic record attempt. All of us at B&Q will be closely following Ellen’s progress and eagerly awaiting the news of her success. We believe ‘Ellen can do it’ and wish her a safe passage.”