Woman reaches port with record

FALMOUTH, England – For 71 days, Ellen MacArthur was alone at sea. On Tuesday, she sailed home in triumph, a royal title awaiting her while 8,000 exuberant fans packed the harbor and hundreds more lined the cliffs of this Cornwall town.

Returning to Britain’s rocky coast after her record-setting, around-the-world voyage, the 28-year-old Englishwoman sprayed champagne, hugged her parents and touched land for the first time in two months. A colorful flotilla guided her 75-foot boat into port with small planes and helicopters darting overhead.

“There were some times out there that were excruciatingly difficult,” MacArthur said. “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.

“There were more lows than highs, no doubt about it. I’m not going to hide that. It is exceptionally difficult to communicate how tough this was.”

For her efforts, she was bestowed a title: Dame Ellen. Queen Elizabeth II approved a damehood for MacArthur, the female equivalent of knighthood. She’s the youngest to receive the honor.

“This is a stunning achievement,” British Prime Minister Tony Blair said. “The whole country is very proud of Ellen.”

In addition, the Royal Navy said MacArthur would be made an honorary naval officer, holding the title of Lt. Commander in the Royal Navy Reserve.

French President Jacques Chirac hailed her “extraordinary performance.” MacArthur speaks French fluently, and her trip was followed widely in France.

MacArthur completed the 26,000-mile circumnavigation Monday night, crossing an imaginary finish line between Ushant, France, and the Lizard peninsula on England’s southwest coast.

The 5-foot-3 sailor completed her journey in 71 days, 14 hours, 18 minutes, 33 seconds, beating the existing record of Francis Joyon of France by one day, 8:35:49.