Ellen underway

B&Q/Castorama crosses Ushant-Lizard start line on round the world record bid

Ellen MacArthur on board her 75ft trimaran B&Q/Castorama crossed the start line off Ushant at 08:10:44 GMT today (Sunday, 28.11.04) on her bid to break Francis Joyon's outrightt singlehanded non-stop round the world record.

The orange and blue trimaran passed close to the Ushant end of the start line within site of the World Sailing Speed Record Council observer based on the island. At the time there was 28-30 knots of NNWerly wind. Half an hour before the start, Ellen reported..."feeling sick with nerves and only slept 10 mins in the night..."

The Omega clock is now ticking on Ellen's attempt to break the current 72 day, 22 hour, 54 minute and 22 second record set by Francis Joyon.

To better Joyon's record B&Q/Castorama will have to cross the finish line by 07:04:06 GMT on 9 February 2005

Francis Joyon sent his regards: I wish Ellen good luck for this big adventure. May the conditions be favourable to her on this course so wonderful but also so difficult.

I will follow her with a lot of interest like a lot of people who will be passionned for this new adventure of Ellen.

Good luck to you,
Francis

To read more about Ellen's record attempt - see our interview with her here