Calm before the Christmas storm

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Ellen MacArthur remains 20 hours ahead of schedule in her bid to break Francis Joyon's round-the-world record of 72 days, 22 hours and 54 minutes.

The Briton survived a savage storm in the Southern Ocean and is making good progress off the coast of Australia.

"Things are going pretty well - we're heading downwind at 20-25 knots," MacArthur told BBC Sport on Wednesday.

"But we're expecting a huge storm to hit on 24 December, so Christmas Day is not going to be much fun."

MacArthur, who is sailing alone on her trimaran B&Q, admitted her relief after coming out of rough conditions this week.

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"We've come out of the big storm now, which is a huge relief," she said.

"There were huge seas, with 40-50 feet waves and 55 knots of breeze. I think I was pretty lucky out there."

A huge low weather system, capable of generating even gustier winds, is developing east of the Kerguelen Islands.