Ellen MacArthur. THE Isle of Wight s Dame Ellen MacArthur smashed the record for the fastest single-handed circumnavigation of the world on this day in 2005. Aged 28, she completed her 27,354-mile odyssey in 71 days, 14 hours, 18 minutes and 33 seconds. With an average speed on the water of 15.9 knots, she beat the previous record set by Frenchman Francis Joyon by more than a day. It was an astounding achievement given that many in sailing had predicted Joyon’s mark, set in just 2004, would last many years. Joyon had taken more than 20 days off the previous record in completing his journey in 72 days, 22 hours, 54 minutes and 22 seconds.
The Cowes-based Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust navigated through last year s unprecedented challenges to continue supporting young people living with the disease according to a new report. A report published by the Trust to coincide with World Cancer Day, shows the charity has continued to support young people living through and beyond cancer. On World Cancer Day last year, founder and patron, Dame Ellen MacArthur, launched Better Connections, Bigger Impact: Our Ambitions for 2020-2022 (Simply known as Ambitions ) in London. This outlined how the Trust would build stronger relationships with, and make a greater long-term difference to, more young people over the next three years.