Tough times ahead for MacArthur

Map: Ellen's route

British sailor Ellen MacArthur is continuing to make good progress in her bid to break Francis Joyon's solo round-the-world record.

After losing some time over the last few days, she has gained an hour and is almost 14 hours ahead of schedule.

The 28-year-old, competing in her 75-foot trimaran B&Q, is currently in the South Atlantic but facing some difficult conditions ahead.

She is scheduled to meet a cold front which is expected to slow her progress.

Since leaving Falmouth on 28 November, MacArthur has consistently been ahead of the pace set by Joyon last year when he broke the round-the-world record with a time of 72 days, 22 hours, 54 minutes and 22 seconds.

But soon she is to enter the savage Southern Ocean which will provide a stern test.

"There is obviously a very bad time ahead of us so we're likely to lose all we've gained on Francis," MacArthur told her website.

"Hopefully, there will be times when we will gain and then won't lose.

"That's the way it works out here, you've just got to do your best and keep trucking on and get the best out of the weather that you've got."