World's fastest sailor arrives at Pulau Duyong

by Malaysian National News Agency on 8 May 2006 Dame Ellen MacArthur, the world's fastest round-the-world solo sailor, arrived at Pulau Duyong this evening after a week battling rough seas, cold weather and strong winds.

The maiden stop by MacArthur, 29, at Pulau Duyong, which is part of the last leg of Asian Record Circuit 2006, with her 75 foot trimaran, B&Q, together with 10 crew members from various countries was 24 hours ahead of schedule.

Upon arrival, MacArthur and her crew were escorted by several boats from the marine police and marine department to a grand welcome by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh, state exco members and Terengganu folk.

Speaking to the media at the Terengganu Heritage Bay Club later, MacArthur said she had travelled about 1,200 nautical miles (2,400km) since leaving Hong Kong on April 30.

She decided to stop at Pulau Duyong after watching the Monsoon Cup, which was held here last December.

'Besides setting a benchmark for other sailors to come here, it was a perfect opportunity for me and the crew to share the culture with the locals,' she said, adding that today's welcome was the best they received in the tour so far.

Asked about the most challenging part of the circuit, MacArthur said it was during her trip from Qingdao to Shanghai where thick fog had slowed her journey.

She also said that she had yet to confirm her participation in the Monsoon Cup later this year.

'The next plan is I will be heading to France and England in June for a sponsorship programme,' she said.

MacArthur will be heading to Singapore on May 10 to complete the circuit.

The sailor from Britain holds the world's fastest solo sailing record of 71 days, 14 hours, 18 minutes and 33 seconds which she achieved on Feb 7 last year.

For that feat, Queen Elizabeth II made her a Dame.

The inaugural Asian Record Circuit, which started on March 25, saw MacArthur docking at various ports in Asia including China, Taiwan and South Korea.

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