In a live interview with Yachting World’s James Boyd and BBC sailing presenter Richard Simmonds, Ellen MacArthur confirmed that the rounding of Cape Horn in manageable conditions had been an emotional experience. Her thoughts had been for sailors of the last 100 years who had gone before her?”those who had made it and those who hadn’t”.

When asked if there was one luxury she might like, Ellen said that she would exchange it for a wish that all Vendee Globe competitors get home safely. At the time of her wish, most of the fleet had yet to round the Horn.

This morning, Ellen’s Kingfisher is still occupying second place on the Vendee Globe. There is no sign yet of her closing the gap on PRB skipper Michel Desjoyeaux who is well over 600 miles ahead, but she is now being kept busy by stronger winds that have allowed her to up the pace and choose a routing west of the Falklands. Third-place occupier, Marc Thiercelin on Active Wear, is still chasing Ellen down and is currently just 100 miles behind.

To hear the full Ellen MacArthur interview click here

For an interview with Josh Hall, currently lying eighth in the Vendee Globe, click here