Interview: Dame Ellen MacArthur

By Simon Hayes on July 23, 2008 9:08 AM |

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IT WAS plain sailing for one of Britain's best yachtswomen when she took part in a boating challenge on the Thames this week.

Dame Ellen MacArthur, best known for her solo global circumnavigations, took the helm of an iShares Extreme 40 catamaran on a course somewhat shorter than the 27,354 nautical miles she sailed alone in 2005.

The boat, one of the fastest on the water, set sail from Greenwich Yacht Club on Monday morning as four crews attempted to set the quickest sailing time on a course from the club to The O2 and back again.

The crews took turns on the vessel, braving gusty winds, choppy water and the occasional barge, and Dame Ellen, who skippered her own team, was delighted to have the opportunity to put her skills to the test.

She said: “It was great. The conditions were fantastic and they are great boats to sail. They are very fast and it’s always a joy to sail them. It’s brilliant to be here with the team.”

She was equally enthusiastic about being able to take to the water in the heart of London, and she hopes more people will take up the sport.

She said: “The numbers of people going into sailing are increasing year on year, which is fantastic. People realise sailing is not an elite sport, it’s very accessible. We’re here at the Greenwich Yacht Club in the centre of London and you realise just 10 minutes from a Tube you can go sailing. That’s absolutely fantastic.”

It wasn’t the first time Dame Ellen had navigated this stretch of water.

She said: “I’ve sailed up here several times before. We had the trimaran here, the B&Q, after the Round the World, then the Kingsfisher up here, and also BT, our new 60 footer was launched here.

“I also sailed in Gipsy Moth a couple of years ago. I saw her when I was a girl visiting London for the first time, so it was great to see her in the water rather than on the concrete.”

The challenge was won by Oman Sail, skippered by Pete Cummings, who posted a time of nine minutes 14 seconds, edging ahead of the iShares Team, BT Team Ellen, and Team Origin.