ELLEN MACARTHUR

Just after 10.00 on the night of February 7th 2004, Ellen MacArthur crossed an imaginary line in the sea off Brittany to become the fastest person ever to sail solo round the world. The record was held by a Frenchman, Francis Joyon. He'd slashed over 20 days off the previous record and many thought his extraordinary new benchmark would stand for 10 years or more. Most experts thought that the record would be beyond MacArthur.

Oliver DewarThe first book to bring together an original collection of extreme sailing challenges; Pictures that make the stomach churn of the most hardened sailor; A gazetteer with details of events and competitions; Perfect gift (in the same series as the successful Extreme Golf) Sailing is becoming more and more extreme, as technological advancements mean that vessels are getting faster, while sailors are better equipped than ever to conquer the elements and explore uncharted waters with sophisticated satellite navigation systems. Today's sailors have an insatiable desire to smash records and make history, conquering near-impossible weather conditions and treacherous icy waters in the process. Maritime marathons such as The Race, in which competitors circumnavigate the globe in as fast a time as possible, are springing up around the globe and attracting more and more fearless individuals. Extreme Sail is a circumnavigation of the most extreme maritime feats—including the Vendée Globe, the Sydney-Hobart, the America's Cup, and the Ostar. Engaging text is accompanied by visually breathtaking photographs capturing the true spirit of extreme sailing. There are also quotes throughout from sailors who have participated in extreme events, and a gazetteer at the back of the book gives information on all the races, events, and competitions mentioned.

When Ellen finished the Vendee Globe, yachting's toughest race aged just 24 the nation took her to it's heart. The depth of the affection for Ellen is extraordinary - she makes people feel like they can do anything! This is her story, written in true Ellen style, in her own words, without the help of a ghost writer. Passionate, dramatic and deeply affecting, her story will move and inspire all who read it.

La figura de Ellen MacArthur ha dado un giro radical y un toque de frescura y renovación al mundo de las regatas de altura. En este libro narra su corta pero intensa carrera, habla de sus pequeñas y grandes historias, desde la primera regata hasta su último éxito en la Vendée Globe, la más exigente regata de altura para solitarios. Y también habla de sus ilusiones e inquietudes, de la gente que la ha ayudado y de la que ha aprendido, y, por supuesto, de que donde se encuentra más a gusto, es compitiendo en medio del océano.