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MacArthur
third in Isle challenge 18 June 2005
Dame Ellen MacArthur and her record- breaking
trimaran B&Q were beaten into third in their
category in Saturday's Round the Island Isle of Wight
race.
Ellen
Macarthur
The
28-year-old took seven hours, 27 minutes and 53 seconds
to complete the 50-mile course - 17.06 mins behind Open
60 class winner Emma
Richards. Richards
clocked 07:44.59 in Pindar Alphagraphics, with fellow
Briton Mike Golding and Ecover second in 07:53.08.
MacArthur
said: "We couldn't keep up but we loved every
minute of it." The fastest round-the-world
solo sailor was competing in the Island challenge for
the third time - but it was the first occasion for her
75ft boat. She was one of almost 1700 competitors taking
part in the event, which started and finished off Cowes
and went anti-clockwise around the island.
Now
MacArthur will turn her attention to her attempt on the
solo trans-Atlantic record, which is planned for
September. Last June, she missed out on setting a
new mark by just 75 minutes.
The
record - set by France's Laurent Bourgnon on the 60ft
trimaran Primagaz in 1994 - stands at seven days, two
hours, 34 minutes, 42 seconds. And the Briton
believes this quest could be her toughest yet.
"A lot of people say 'Oh you've been around the
world, what's the point of doing the
trans-Atlantic?'", she said.
"But
that's not reality. The reality is you have to work that
much harder to break the trans-Atlantic record, albeit
just for seven days. "If you lose time, you
haven't got much time to catch up. "It's the
difference between a marathon and a sprint."
She
is also heavily involved with the Ellen MacArthur Trust,
a charity set up to help children suffering from cancer
or leukaemia by introducing them to the joys of
sailing. "It's
a big priority," she added.
WHY
A TRUST ?
The
aim of the Ellen MacArthur Trust is to support children
suffering from cancer or leukaemia by introducing them
to the pleasure of sailing on the sea. The 'Trust'
is a charity and as such may invite tax exempt
contributions for the objects stated. Likewise,
donations are tax deductible. This RYA
operate a similar scheme know as 'Sailability' for
disabled persons. The
Ellen MacArthur Trust was launched by Dame Ellen MacArthur on 2nd January 2003.
The main objects of the Trust are: "To
alleviate the suffering and promote the well-being of
children and young persons between the ages of 6 and 18
suffering from cancer, leukaemia or other serious
illness by providing facilities for sailing
holidays."
HOW
IT ALL BEGAN
It all began in the summer of 2000 before the start of
the Vendée Globe round-the-world race.
Ellen went sailing in France with a group of children
suffering from cancer and leukaemia. These trips were
organised by a French charity called ‘A Chacun son Cap’,
which translates to “Everyone has a Goal’.
Dame Ellen noticed how the children has so enjoyed the
day. There was so much laughter. Dame Ellen said
it was one of the best day’s sailing she'd ever had. She is quoted as saying:
“We laughed so much we had tears in our eyes.” Ellen
worked with 'A Chacun son Cap' and also 'Sargent Cancer
Care' for a
couple of years. 'The Ellen
MacArthur Trust', is a registered charity, number 1096491.
LIFE ON BOARD
The main activity of the Trust involves taking affected children
between the ages of 6 and 18 for sea outings. These
short voyages may last
several days and nights, visiting as many different
ports as possible, during which time the guests and crew live and sleep on
board. By this means it is hoped the children get
a taste of adventure and a feel of life on the ocean
wave. The boats used during the 2004 season were larger cruising yachts,
being ideal accommodation for these events.
As with the RYA sailability scheme, the sport of sailing
gives these children the chance to try their hand at
something exciting and different. It is a hands
on adventure where each child is offered the chance to
participate and it is hoped gains that much more
confidence.
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE ELLEN MAC ARTHUR TRUST
:
The
Ellen MacArthur Trust
www.ellenmacarthur.com
info@ellenmacarthurtrust.org
Registered office
Coniston
Victoria road
Freshwater
Bay
Isle of Wight
PO40 9PX
Company number 4597114
Registered charity no. 1096491
Please contact the Trust Manager:
Martin
Noyle
The Kingfisher Flat
Middle Washbourne Farm
Harbertonford
Devon
TQ9 7UB
T:
+44 (0)1803 732 094 or email info@ellenmacarthurtrust.org
Please
note: Neither Max Energy Limited nor the Solar Navigator project is
in any way connected
with The Ellen MacArthur Trust, nor is there any
association between Ellen MacArthur and these
projects, or indeed any other project mentioned on this
website. If you are considering purchasing
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that your contribution will not be going to The Ellen
MacArthur Trust until further notice. Please use
the contacts given above.
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