BREST, France (AFP) — Briton Ellen MacArthur has not ruled out trying to reclaim the title of fastest-ever sailor to complete a solo non-stop circumnavigation of the globe just hours after Frenchman Francis Joyon shattered her previous record.
Joyon's maxi-trimaran crossed the finish line here after 57 days 13 hours 34 minutes and 6 seconds following a 21,600 nautical miles (38,900km) journey.
In his 97ft-long IDEC II, which is 22ft longer than MacArthur's B and Q, the 51-year-old took a huge 14 days off the Englishwoman's record and reclaims the mark he broke in February 2004.
But MacArthur was in defiant mood after seeing her record smashed, and said that just hearing updates of Joyon made her want to take to sea again.
"Records are set to be broken," she said from Britanny, where she was aboard a boat welcoming Joyon home.
However, she said that an attempt would not be launched in the next year because she was already committed to previous projects.
"I know it's been hard for him, that he's had to suffer," said MacArthur. "He took different options and benefitted from good weather down to the Horn.
"His boat is bigger so it's normal that he goes quicker but he deserves the record and I'm happy for him."
Before Joyon had neared the record mark, the magnanimous MacArthur admitted that she had been keeping her fingers crossed for him.
"Above all, I'm extremely happy for him, what he's done so far is simply incredible, and I've been following his journey everyday, talking to him on a couple of occasions."
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