71 days, 14 hours, 18 minutes and 33 seconds....

alone in a boat!
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Dame Ellen sails home in triumph

Round-the-world record breaker Ellen MacArthur described her welcome as "overwhelming" as she arrived back in Falmouth to be greeted by thousands of well-wishers.

The 28-year-old declared: "I am so happy to be back."

Surrounded by a flotilla of boats, she brought her yacht B&Q alongside where family and friends were waiting. The sailor said she was amazed by the "extraordinary" reception at the end of her "unbelievable" voyage.

MacArthur said seeing so many people ready to welcome her home had made her achievement start to sink in.

The Queen and Prime Minister Tony Blair sent their personal congratulations and Downing Street revealed that Britain's favourite sailor is to be made a Dame.

MacArthur smashed the record for the fastest person to sail single-handedly around the world non-stop. The young sailor completed the journey in 71 days, 14 hours, 18 minutes and 33 seconds - trimming the record by one day, eight hours, 35 minutes and 49 seconds.

She hugged her parents, Ken and Avril, and family and spoke emotionally about seeing them again. She said: "There were times when seeing home seemed a very long way away but we are home now. Just to be able to touch them and see them is absolutely fantastic."

MacArthur held a lit flare in each hand and bounded around the boat, laughing and smiling at those on shore. She was then handed an enormous bottle of champagne which she struggled to open before spraying it on the crowds of people standing on the jetty below.

Dame Ellen has also been made an honorary member of the Navy for her seafaring triumph and will hold the rank of Lieutenant Commander. A Ministry of Defence source said: "Her Majesty has approved one more honour - a honorary commission as an officer in the Royal Naval Reserve.

It is expected MacArthur will take a month off before she and her team start preparations to capture a host of other nautical records.

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Great Job!!!!

:D :D