Sailing News:  Ellen MacArthur's 75-foot trimaran, B&Q, is within 750 miles of Cape Horn and should pass this most feared landmark tomorrow to begin the final leg of her attempt on the world record for a solo circumnavigation of the globe as she enters the Atlantic Ocean.

With the passing of the depression that has controlled the weather for the past four days, the wind has shifted into the south-west and forced the boat on a more southerly course towards the dangers of the ice-fields.

While the heading MacArthur is steering has its drawbacks, it is right on line for her path to Cape Horn, but the overall speed is considerably slower in the unstable winds. From her best-yet 501.6 miles on the previous day, B&Q was restricted to 393.7 over a similar 24 hours.

This is due to the wide variation in the wind speed, anywhere between 17 and 37 knots, and with MacArthur trying to rest, she has favoured a sail plan that leaves the boat underpowered, and therefore slower than she would like, in the lighter winds. It does, however, reduce the possibility of capsizing if hit by a squall.

"Currently sailing with one reef and the genoa (a largish headsail)," she reported midday yesterday. "I should probably have the full main but I was expecting the wind speed to increase faster than it really has. But we are doing 17 knots boat speed in 18 knots average wind speed, so not too bad."

McArthur remains almost five days ahead of record-breaking schedule.