Born: 1976 (Whatstandwell, Derbyshire)
Biography:
Dame Ellen Patricia MacArthur DBE was born on July 8, 1976, in Whatstandwell near Matlock in Derbyshire. Raised in a family of teachers, she developed an early interest in sailing. Inspired by her idol, Sophie Burke, and Arthur Ransome’s Swallows and Amazons series, MacArthur’s passion for sailing grew. She became the Patron of the Nancy Blackett Trust, which owns and operates Ransome’s beloved yacht, Nancy Blackett.
MacArthur’s first sailing experience was on her aunt Thea MacArthur’s boat on the east coast of England. Determined and resourceful, she saved her school dinner money for three years to purchase her first boat, an eight-foot dinghy named Threp’ny Bit. Even though decimalization had already taken place, MacArthur taped a real ‘threepenny bit’ coin onto the bow as a personal touch.
Overcoming financial challenges, MacArthur pursued her passion for sailing while working at a sailing school in Hull. At the age of 17, she purchased a Corribee sailboat and named it Iduna. MacArthur described the first moment she saw Iduna as love at first sight. In 1995, she embarked on a solo circumnavigation of Great Britain on Iduna, showcasing her determination and skill.
In 1997, MacArthur’s sailing prowess caught attention when she finished 17th in the Mini Transat solo transatlantic race. To compete in the race, she fitted out her 21-foot Classe Mini yacht, Le Poisson, entirely by herself while residing in a French boatyard. Her achievement in the race earned her the title of Sailing’s Young Hope in France and the prestigious 1998 British Telecom/Royal Yachting Association Yachtsman of The Year in the UK.
However, MacArthur’s greatest accomplishment came on February 7, 2005, when she broke the world record for the fastest solo circumnavigation of the globe. This achievement propelled her to international acclaim and established her as one of the most successful solo long-distance yachtswomen in history. MacArthur completed her circumnavigation in just 71 days, 14 hours, 18 minutes, and 33 seconds, surpassing the previous record held by Francis Joyon of France.
Following her retirement from professional sailing on September 2, 2010, MacArthur shifted her focus towards making a difference beyond the world of sailing. She founded the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, a charity dedicated to accelerating the transition to a circular economy. The foundation collaborates with businesses and education institutions to drive systemic change, aiming to create a more sustainable future.
Ellen MacArthur’s achievements and contributions have left an indelible mark on the world of sailing and beyond, inspiring countless individuals with her determination, resilience, and passion for making a positive impact.
Awards:
– 1998 British Telecom/Royal Yachting Association Yachtsman of The Year
– Sailing’s Young Hope in France
– Named after her, asteroid 20043 Ellenmacarthur