Renault UK Says Good Luck Ellen In New World Record Attempt

Renowned yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur is on stand-by to try to shatter yet another world record as she prepares to set sail on her new 75-foot B&Q Trimaran in a solo, non-stop round the world record attempt. As Ellen’s official vehicle supplier when on land, Renault UK wishes her good luck in her attempt as only one other person has previously achieved this feat.

Ellen is currently in Falmouth on stand-by as she waits for the perfect weather window to start her voyage and is making the most of the warmth and comfort of her Espace V6 dCi she drives in every day life! Whilst her Espace doesn’t compromise comfort for speed, on the water there’s only one thing that matters as Ellen aims to beat 72 days, 22 hours, 54 minutes and 22 seconds to claim a new solo, non-stop, round the world record.

Ellen is only the sixth person to attempt a solo, non-stop round the world on a multi-hull race, and only one of those six, Francis Joyon, has ever managed the feat without stopping.

This record is certainly an exceptional one - even for the remarkable yachtswoman - when you consider similarly challenging feats. For example, more than 1,800 people have reached the summit of Everest, 450 people have been in space, 12 astronauts have stepped on the moon and five sailors have attempted to race around the world non-stop on multi-hulls but only one has succeeded.

It’s Joyon’s time Ellen is aiming to beat when a fast, stable and favourable weather pattern presents itself and she sets sail on her 26,000-mile journey. Of course, Ellen is no stranger to sailing success as the youngest and fastest woman to have sailed solo round the world in the Vendée Globe in 2001. More than three years of planning have gone in to Ellen’s new world record attempt, with the 75 foot B&Q Trimaran having being specially made for her during over 18 months of construction in Sydney.

Ellen is feeling confident for the challenge ahead. She says, "The boat is completely ready to go, I am completely ready to go so it’s 100% ready waiting for the weather. I know this record is extremely hard to beat, but I have gained so much confidence in the boat during the transatlantic record attempt over the summer so that was fantastic for me. I just need the right weather and I’ll throw the lines off the dock and go!"

Renault UK Managing Director, Philippe Talou-Derible said; "Ellen is an extremely courageous young woman and one that’s not afraid to push the boundaries. Sailing is even more popular in France than here so everyone at Renault UK is delighted that through our sponsorship we can be part of these challenges, even if for us we will be watching on the web cam from the comfort of our desks! The logistics involved in a record attempt like this are huge and our Master vans and Espaces have certainly been worked hard getting all the team in place."

Renault is the official vehicle supplier to Offshore Challenges, the company set up by Ellen MacArthur to enable her and fellow sailors Nick Moloney and Sam Davies to challenge world yachting records. Many of these records start in France involving the movement of huge amounts of equipment and the many people whom co-ordinate her record attempts. As such the three Espace’s, two Renault Master vans and one Renault Trafic van supplied to Offshore Challenges are getting plenty of use!

You can follow Ellen MacArthur’s progress, view the web cam and email her by visiting www.teamellen.com