Victory for Ellen MacArthur on Kingfisher
by Josefine Lemmel 23 Nov 2002 07:42 GMT
Photos © G. Martin-Raget/Promovoile/Marine Nationale
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Ellen MacArthur on Kingfisher won the Route du Rhum 2002 in the 60-foot IMOCA monohull class today, Saturday November 23.
Ellen MacArthur was first over the start line in Saint-Malo, Saturday 9 November at 1345 French time, 1245 GMT. She crossed the finish line today, Saturday 23 November at 0216:47 GMT, Friday 22 November GMT 2316:47 local Guadeloupe time.
The previous record for monohulls in the Route du Rhum was 15 days, 19 hours, 23 minutes (Yves Parlier sur Cacolac d’Aquitaine en 1994), Ellen MacArthur has established a new record time on the course Saint-Malo/Pointe-à-Pitre, at 13 days, 13 hours and 31 minutes, 47 seconds.
Ellen MacArthur has raced a total of 3968 miles at the average speed of 12.9 knots, which means 417 miles longer than the orthodromic route (direct route following the curve of the earth), which is 3 551 miles.
The atmosphere here just sends shivers down your spine. Hundreds of lights from the little boats gathering up the little star easing towards the finish ribbon at 7-8 knots through the melee of well wishers. Thousands carpeted the beaches to welcome the Queen of the Ocean who, right till the very end remained entirely and utterly focused.
Her racing spirit exploding in the flares she sent off just minutes are crossing the line of this, surely one of the greatest, Route du Rhums in history!
Average speed:
Average speed on water:12.19
Average speed according to the orthodromy:10. 9