Q&A: Ellen MacArthur

Ellen MacArthur took time out from her hectic round-the-world record bid to answer your questions from the rough seas of the Southern Ocean.

The Briton became the youngest person and the fastest woman to sail around the world alone in 2001 and is now chasing Francis Joyon's solo speed record of 72 days, 22 hours and 54 minutes.

Thanks for all your questions, a selection of the best appear below.

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What are you doing for Christmas? Have you got freeze-dried turkey and the trimmings? Or any presents?
Chris Collier, England

Christmas on board is often dictated by the weather and the weather for this Christmas is looking pretty full on.

There is a storm that will be hitting us on 24 December, so I think it may be a case of survival mode for a short time.

Unfortunately, there is no way to escape the weather that is on its way, so we just have to deal with it as best we can.

I will try to speak with my family and friends during the day and there is a bag marked "Christmas" on board as well, so I'll look forward to opening that and seeing what's inside!

Ultimately though Christmas is about being with your loved ones and that is no different for me.

So I'll make the best of the situation on board but for me it is another day on the race track.

Do you have time to dream during your power naps? And if so, what do you dream about?
Nick Morrell, England

Yes, I do dream. Even sleeping in short cat naps, I can sleep very deeply and that's when I dream most.

The strange thing is, when you have a dream normally and then you wake up, still not sure what is real or not.

That feeling is multiplied when I'm on the boat - it is a very strange to have the sense that you're not sure if you're still dreaming or not and be in an environment like this.

How safe is it for you to sleep on board a moving yacht? Can you forecast with any degree of accuracy that it will still be on course when you wake up?
Ron Simpson, UK

Obviously, it has its dangers, but we have autopilots on board along with many safeguards that are there to alert me to any immediate danger in the water.

Such as the Active Echo, which is a radar which scans through the water and detects any vessels or icebergs in my immediate vicinity.

Should it pick anything up an alarm goes off to alert me.

I don't sleep for long - 10-20 minutes at a time - so it is a case of being careful, plotting your route and making sure that the proper safeguards are in place where possible.

Elle, is it scary and lonely being all on your own in the middle of the sea?
Georgina, 7, France

It can be scary and a little lonely at times, but I don't think you can do something like this and not be scared by it.

It's good to be scared sometimes - it keeps me on my toes.

The thing is, I choose to be out here and sometimes I have to pinch myself that this really is my job and I get to do what I love everyday.

It is a fantastic job and I am very lucky.

Presumably the hi-tech weather information you receive includes routing information to keep you in the best wind conditions. Do you always agree with the suggestions or do you use your own instincts to make decisions?
John Eacott, UK

I talk to Commanders' Weather in the USA several times a day and also share any extra information I get with the weather routers so we can discuss the best way forward.

Often what is forecast and what I am actually experiencing differ, especially here in the Southern Ocean, so you have to rely on your own instinct and react accordingly.

What is it that keeps you going through those long windy days and nights? Are there any times that you wonder why you are attempting this record? I think it's amazing! You're an inspiration to us all!
Martin, England

I guess the main reason I'm out here is because I want to be here - it's a choice I made nearly four years ago when we decided on this plan.

Yes, there are lows but there are also great highs as well.

The whole trip is like a rollercoaster of emotions and being out here alone on B&Q often means that everything is amplified.

I often stand in the cockpit and stare out to sea, thinking I must be the luckiest person in the world to be seeing, feeling, smelling and touching all this.

It really does make you feel very alive.