Personal Blog of Ellen MacArthur

There was a really fantastic atmosphere in Plymouth for the start of the Artemis Transat. It was the fourth start that I’ve been at since I began my career in sailing, and, I have to say, definitely the most vibrant for the public. Sutton Harbour was absolutely buzzing with people of all ages, wandering through the rows of French market stalls, and looking out across the water to the huge colourful boats sitting in their starting blocks ready to take on the Atlantic.

I really enjoyed talking to people, and hearing their comments as they looked out over the boats. The weather was great, which led to a very relaxed atmosphere amongst the teams getting the boats ready for the race, and the bars and restaurants by the water were packed all week.

I was also visited by a lady who’s been a fan for a long time called Barbara Tilston. She came down to the docks to present me with three beautiful paintings which she had painted of Mobi (the tri I took round the world). Thanks, Barbara!

On the start day itself, I spent sometime with our sponsors BT – talking to them about just what it would be like on the first night at sea for the sailors, and about how they will be setting sail onto a 2-week non-stop conveyor belt.

I then stepped into my naval uniform (I am a Lieutenant Commander of the Royal Naval Reserve) to join HMS Argyll who held her position at one end of the start line. The view from the upper deck was fantastic, the race boats slipped away in the light afternoon breeze. The difference for the sailors between a start where the wind is howling through the rigging and a start with light winds is really huge. I have started races in a force 6 to 7 before, and waking on the start day to the noise of a storm makes your stomach churn. There are enough nerves as it is trying to take an IMOCA 60 race boat over the start line, let alone in a gale…

Ellen

Sunday was a difficult day for many with the Olympic torch relay through the city of London.

The events that day sadly have not highlighted the great things which will happen here in 4 years’ time. The millions of people who will be inspired by sports, and the co-operation between nations.

My feeling is that the Olympics should be about uniting nations. It should be about using the platform of the Olympics to inspire people, to share ideas and ideals, to bring countries closer together to increase their knowledge and understanding of one another.

You have to ask the question, would it have been better if all the torchbearers had pulled out and the torch relay had not taken place at all, in which case, there would have been no event at which to protest and share views and messages?

Closing the doors is surely a poor method of communicating, and if the Olympics were not being held in Beijing, then there would not be an opportunity to communicate these matters to this extent on a world stage.

Whatever the future holds, I believe that dialogue is essential for progress and understanding.

Ellen

I walked through the town of Newport on the Isle of Wight today, really fancying an apple. I would have thought that in a high street that would be quite a straightforward thing to find, but it appears not. I was even tempted by an apple logo on a clothes shop!

It made me realise just how much things have changed in the modern towns of today, in that you can’t always find the essentials.

Maybe I don’t know Newport well enough, but it would appear as if I needed a car to get my apple this lunchtime.

I settled for some dried apple instead!

Ellen

The night of the Eco-Island conference (Wednesday 26^th March), I shot over to the mainland for a State Banquet at Windsor Castle with Her Majesty the Queen and her guests. It was in honour of French President Sarkozy’s visit to the UK and it was quite incredible to play a small part in it. The dinner at Windsor Castle was a grand affair, with some very interesting guests; it’s not every day that you pull up to the gates of Windsor Castle for dinner!

The following day was a busy one for me with preparations for being presented with the Légion d’Honneur, France’s highest decoration. I was receiving the award at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich in the Painted Hall which was an impressive place in itself. I was pretty nervous in the morning having the acceptance speech to give. It’s never easy speaking in front of people anyway, but when you are effectively addressing a nation which has been so kind to you, you want to get it right!

It was just fantastic to see so many friends and colleagues there. Even Mum and Dad made it down to London! Three of the young people from the Ellen MacArthur Trust were there, Sam Ledster, Maxine Duggins and Katie Schuster, who were all nervous like me before the arrival of President Sarkozy and his wife. They seemed to enjoy it though, and were certainly smiling in the photograph! We spent a few moments with the girls outside, then went inside the Painted Hall for the formal part of the ceremony. President Sarkozy gave his speech which was touching and reflective, he spoke of my many adventures in France, courage and determination. It was one of those strange moments in life when you are listening to something, but cannot accept that those words are meant for you. I felt a little bit like I was in a film set, and I was just an actor playing a part. I never have been very good at letting things sink in. Anyway, I did manage to do the speech, without my kneecaps shaking too much!

I finished with the following lines….

“I have been moved beyond words by the way in which the French people have taken me into their hearts and supported me in all my adventures.”

“Pour finir, un grand merci à la France pour toutes les opportunités et les amitiés qu’elle a su m’offrir.”

That kind of sums it up really…

Ellen

Editor’s Note: A video clip of speeches by President Sarkozy and Ellen will be online shortly.

The beginning of everything public for me was the BT/YJA Young Sailor of the Year award in January 1995. It was the first time anyone other than the teachers at school called my name out, and I remember vividly going out to the big city of Derby to find a skirt (of all things!) to wear to the event. Since then I have been to the event most years (other than those when I have been at sea!), and have been lucky enough to win the Yachtsman of the Year on three separate occasions.

This year was the 52nd year and the trophy was (once again!) won by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston for his incredible circumnavigation in the Velux 5 Oceans (at the age of 67!). The runners up were so close though that virtually all four of them could have won the award. Geoff Holt, who sailed solo round the British Isles in a small trimaran was one of the runners up. It takes an incredible human being not only to sail around Britain in a small trimaran, but to do so when you are paralysed from the waist down like Geoff. Other runners up were Mike Golding and Dee Caffari who had also recently competed in offshore races. Mike had rescued fellow competitor Alex Thomson, also in the Velux 5 Oceans.

The Young Sailor of the Year was Laurence Greenough, also someone who is inspirational. He continues to sail his unmodified Topper after losing his leg in a boating accident. It was lovely to see everyone again, in fact those faces who have become friends throughout my racing career. Some were faces I had not seen for years, so it was lovely to be able to have a chat about past experiences and previous encounters. I chatted with Mike Richie, who must be 90 years old now, and who has raced numerous times across the Atlantic (the last at 87!). He really is an inspiration to us all, as much now as he was when I first met him in 1996. At lunch, I sat next to Lady Pippa Blake who we were proud to have as ‘godmother’ of Kingfisher before she left New Zealand on her maiden voyage to Europe. It was great to catch up with her and discuss all sorts of topics, including her fantastic artwork, I’ve been to one of Pippa’s exhibitions and she has created some wonderful pieces.

I loved being there, and it was fantastic to spend time amongst friends. I left the Painted Hall in the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich with a light step, and a feeling that it had been really nice to see familiar and friendly faces…..