BRITAIN: Ellen MacArthur, the successful lone circumnavigation record holder who returned to a hero's welcome in Cornwall yesterday has a new target in her sights: the record for sailing around Britain and Ireland.
Her round-the-world achievement was honoured yesterday when the British government announced that Queen Elizabeth was to make her a Dame, the youngest person - she is just 28 years old - to receive the honour in modern times.
"I could not believe it when I saw the email to the boat," Dame Ellen said in Falmouth where thousands turned out to greet her.
"I feel incredibly privileged. Nothing can prepare you for it. It does not make you feel different from who you are, but it's an extraordinary experience."
Dame Ellen crossed the finish line at Ushant, France, on Monday night to complete the circumnavigation in 71 days, 14 hours, 18 minutes and 33 seconds.
Talking about her challenge she said: "There were some times out there that were excruciatingly difficult, there is no doubt about it.
"I have never in my life had to dig as deep as I did in this trip and not just once or twice but over consecutive weeks.
"I don't think I will ever manage to communicate how difficult it has been but certainly to come back here now and to look at it all in the past, it is amazing how time can heal things and the difficult moments turn to positive moments because you get through to the other side.
"Did I imagine I wouldn't be here? To be honest, I don't think I let myself because you have to believe."
The current holder for the fastest sailing time around Britain and Ireland is Peter Keig who completed the sail in 18 days, 13 hours, 59 minutes and 57 seconds in October 2001.
A spokeswoman for Dame Ellen said her attempt was likely to take place next year. But this year, she said, MacArthur had some unfinished business and she was likely to make a second attempt to beat the west to east transatlantic record.
Last year she narrowly missed capturing a new time by just 75 minutes.