Ellen MacArthur sailing legend – Honorary Oakley

It’s time for another Honorary Oakley. This time around we’re going with a woman who fought adversity and huge waves to finish a solo circumnavigation of the world in 71 days, 14 hours, 18 minutes and 33 seconds, breaking the world record for sailing around the world alone. She broke the previous record, held by Frenchman Francis Joyon, by 32 hours! Ellen showed strength, courage and determination whilst facing this huge challenge and it is these qualities that have landed her square in the archives of the Honorary Oakley.

Now let’s take a closer look at the lady herself…..

Ellen MacArthur – A quick bio:

Full Name: Ellen MacArthur
Born: Derbyshire, England
Parents: Teachers
Sailing Since: The Age of 4
Speaks: English and French

Background Information:
Ellen MacArthur was born in Derbyshire, England, the daughter of teachers. At the ripe old age of 4 she was introduced to sailing via an aunt who took her sailing on her boat which Ellen muses in her biography as “the most beautiful boat I had ever seen,” and that herself and aunt “went completely out of sight of land, and for the first time in my life I felt completely free.”. Perhaps it is this sense of total freedom that has led Ellen MacArthur to the great heights she now scales.

Ellen got her first boat when she was ten, she had been saving for her own boat since the age of 8 when she started saving her money which resided in a money box in her bedroom. These savings were then boosted when her grandmother chipped in and helped her to purchase the eight foot dingy that was to become her first boat.

After years of studying the yachts people to have gone before her Ellen became the youngest person to pass the yacht-master offshore qualification which was a feat in itself and the beginning of what was yet to come. Unable to find a sponsor within the UK (ain’t it always the way.. let’s send our talent elsewhere and then congratulate them when they achieve something) Ellen went to France, got a small boat and entered the Mini-Transat, a 3,000-mile solo race across the Atlantic. Ellen made the crossing in 33 days, which placed her 17th and the Kingfisher retail group became her sponsor and the rest as they say is history!

Ellen Takes The World Record:
It was February 2005 when Ellen MacArthur arrived back in Britain to huge adoring crowds after she successfully sailed solo around the world smashing the previous world record time by an astonishing 32 hours! Ellen was also recently (April 28th) awarded a Damehood from the Queen. Ellen received the ‘Commander of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire’ and given her young age of just 28 she is also the youngest woman to have received the honor! Ellen is quoted as stating “It was a very special occasion and bought back memories of receiving my MBE after the Vendée Globe in 2001 – a lot has happened since that time which has culminated in receiving this honor today. And although it was just me attending the investiture, I am definitely here on behalf of all my team who deserve to be recognized just as much as me for all their effort in achieving the new world record.”. Modest to the last!

The Time Top 100 of 2005:
When top magazine ‘TIME’ name the TIME 100 of 2005 which is a list of the 100 most influential people in the world today according to the magazine, Ellen MacArthur appears in the ‘Heroes and Icons’ section along with names such as Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates and the Dalai Lama. Given tha great standing TIME has the world over it’s great to see her inclusion in the list which pays homage to her amazing achievements. Time magazine states “They righted the wrongs, played through the pain, offered spiritual solace or simply inspired us with their remarkable talents” and that covers it here for us at Thumb Bandits also. Well done Ellen!!

The Game is On:
We don’t know if Ellen had an xbox or PS2 tucked away on her 75ft mulithull, B&Q when she was at sea all that time, we doubt she’d have had the time to even switch it on if she did given she was allegedly sleeping in 20 to 30 minute increments because of the various tasks she needed to do, but it is a nice thought that the lady may be a gamer. Even if she’s not, that’s okay too because she’s an inspiration to everyone including all us gamers here at Thumb Bandits where we honor her for her courage, strength of will and amazing achievements.

Another Honorary Oakley handed out for all the right reasons. Ellen MacArthur is everything the Honorary Oakley stands for and more. She’s a strong woman who has made fantastic achievements….

Ellen MacArthur We Salute you!

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