Ellen MacArthur

For the economic historian, see Ellen McArthur.

Dame
Ellen MacArthur
DBE
Ellen MacArthur in 2010
MacArthur in 2010
Born (1976-07-08) 8 July 1976 (age 48)
Whatstandwell, Derbyshire, England
Occupation(s)Sailor and charity founder
Known forPrevious holder of fastest solo circumnavigation of the globe in a yacht
Websiteellenmacarthur.com

Dame Ellen Patricia MacArthur DBE (born 8 July 1976) is a retired English sailor, from Whatstandwell near Matlock in Derbyshire, now based in Cowes, Isle of Wight.

MacArthur is a successful solo long-distance yachtswoman. On 7 February 2005, she broke the world record for the fastest solo circumnavigation of the globe, a feat which gained her international renown.[1] Francis Joyon, the Frenchman who had held the record before MacArthur, was able to recover the record again in early 2008.[2]

Following her retirement from professional sailing on 2 September 2010, MacArthur announced the launch of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, a charity that works with business and education to accelerate the transition to a circular economy.

She once held the top spot on the UK Top Gear show for fastest star in a reasonably priced car.

  1. ^ Our Amazing Planet Staff (30 April 2012). "8 Unsung Women Explorers". LiveScience.com. Retrieved 30 April 2012.
  2. ^ "report of MacArthur congratulating Joyon on beating her record". BBC News. 20 January 2008. Retrieved 28 October 2009.