Ellen MacArthur, skipper of B&Q, crossed the start line off Ushant at 08:10:44 GMT today (Sunday, 28.11.04). Passing within a few miles offshore of the WSSRC observer on the island of Ushant off the north coast of France in winds of 28-30 knots from the NNW.

Half an hour before the start, Ellen reported…’feeling sick with nerves and only slept 10 minutes 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.

B&Q will have to cross the finish line by 07:04:06 GMT on 9 February 2005 (the WSSRC rules state a world record must be broken by more than 60 seconds and this finish time takes this into account).

Good luck message from Francis Joyon

Francis Joyon, the current world, speed, record holder sent this message to Ellen earlier today:

“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.”