How great is MacArthur's achievement?

Ellen MacArthur has single-handedly circumnavigated the globe coping with 20 minutes sleep a night, icebergs and 60 foot waves.

MacArthur crossed the line in second place but just how great an achievement was it?

Very rarely does one come across truly moving stories of individual achievement, as opposed to tragedy. The pictures of Kingfisher's arrival in France last night, and the composure and humility of Ellen, MacArthur have been truly humbling. It was not surprising to see even the hardened news reporters moved by the occasion. Totally inspirational!
Edward Wilkinson, England

For those who do not truly understand what she accomplished, read the comments of the people who have sailed offshore & round the world on this page. They KNOW and understand.

n heroic achievement for Ellen. We've all taken her to our hearts. Fantastic courage and resilience, conquering her own fear and the elements. Congratulations to Kingfisher for backing such a winner, and commiserations to poor old Michel Desjoyeux and his sponsors! His effort was even greater but is almost totally eclipsed by Ellen and Kingfisher.
Jacques Francis, UK

I cannot begin to imagine what Ellen must have gone through over 24,000 miles of sometimes very hostile seas. It is an wonderful achievement. Diane Warrilow, United Kingdom

A fantastic feat of endurance, self-belief and skill that few others have achieved. And what a great thing to have done so early in life.
Simon Johns, UK

Read More at
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/sports_talk/1165478.stm

Vendee Globe Update from La Roche

 

Whether they have qualified or not, those taking part in the forthcoming Vendée Globe have preferred to take an active holiday: fine-tuning their boat, PR operations, working on their physical condition… Boats and sailors both have to go through a lot of work before a welcome break that many have planned for August.

 

Promotional exercises, sponsorship sessions, decorating time: it feels like holiday time has finally arrived for the competitors registered for the next Vendée Globe. Let there be no mistake however, as for many boats, the summer is synonymous with a refit and whilst the majority of the skippers are counting on...

IMOCA Open 60

BT Team Ellen

 

Why are you interested in sustainability?
Dame Ellen MacArthur talks about how sustainability impacts her life, at sea.

http://www.biggerthinking.com/en/ellen_sustainability.aspx?vid=play

Resource management
Dame Ellen MacArthur talks about the importance of resource management.

http://www.biggerthinking.com/en/ellen_sustainability2.aspx?vid=play

Resource frugality
Dame Ellen MacArthur talks the value of resource frugality.
http://www.biggerthinking.com/en/ellen_sustainability3.aspx?vid=play

Sailing the Marten 67

STRUCTURE
HULL CONSTRUCTION
Construction is carbon fibre SPRINT with CoreCell foam cores. Reinforced at high stress areas with carbon fibre.
INTERNAL STRUCTURE
Bulkheads, structural frames, longitudinals, and centre case are constructed from carbon SPRINT materials with CoreCell foam core.
CHAINPLATES
Carbon fibre chain plates built into the hull laminate.

Length 20.4m / 67ft
Beam 5.13m / 16.83ft
Displacement (sailing) 23,300kg / 51,353lb
Displacement (measurement) 20,800kg / 45,843lb
Ballast 8,500kg / 18,739lb
Draught (maximum) 4.1m / 13.5ft
Draught (keel up) 2.6m / 8.5ft