Dame Ellen's return

Round-the-world record breaker Ellen MacArthur described her welcome Waving flares in each hand and to a cacophony of cheers and klaxons, Ellen MacArthur sailed home in triumph today.

After more than 71 days sailing around the world alone she was greeted by thousands lining the quayside at Falmouth to hail her world record.

As she arrived at Port Pendennis, Ellen's mother and father Ken and Avril climbed onboard her 75ft trimaran B&Q to embrace their daughter. MacArthur then skipped across the netting strung between the boat, cracked open a bottle of champagne and sprayed it onto the crowd.

She then set foot ashore for the first time in nearly three months and was greeted with hugs and kisses from more friends and family.

Arms aloft, she responded with a beaming smile, tears of joy and said: "I'm very, very happy. We've got the sunshine and the boats around us and it's absolutely extraordinary... I can't believe how many people are out here watching. It's something very, very special and I'm over the moon."

Downing Street announced she would now be known as Dame Ellen and analysts said the feat would earn her £ 1million a year for the rest of her life in commercial endorsements. The Queen sent her "my warmest congratulations".

The remarkable reception was an extraordinary tribute to a tiny woman's gigantic achievement.

Snatching sleep when she could, overcoming equipment failure, extremes of cold and heat, storms and moments of frustratingly becalmed seas, the 28-year-old had just achieved something sail non-stop around the world.

MacArthur sealed her place among the pantheon of sporting legends at

10.29pm and 17 seconds last night when she crossed the finishing line stretching between Ushant in France and the Lizard in Cornwall, to become the fastest person to sail around the world single-handed.

Today she pledged to break more records. " I've an incredible relationship with this boat and stepping off will be difficult. I'm sad that it's over but there's other records out there," she said.

After gaining speed in her final run due to favourable winds, MacArthur completed her voyage in 71 days, 14 hours, 18 minutes and 33 seconds.

To beat the record she had to better the time of 72 days, 22 hours, 54 minutes and 22 seconds set her great rival Francis Joyon in February last year.

In the end she finished one day, 8 hours, 35 minutes and 49 seconds ahead of the Frenchman, travelling 27,354 miles at an average speed of 15.9 knots.

Speaking immediately after crossing the finishing line last night she said: "I can't believe it... It hasn't sunk in yet. voyage, both physically and mentally."

There were tumultuous scenes when news of her success was relayed to Team Ellen's on-shore headquarters at the National Maritime Museum, in Falmouth, where journalists and broadcasters from around the world gathered to witness her achievement.

Outside hundreds of people cheered and opened champagne bottles as the news of her victory was relayed on a giant screen. Thousands more fans, as well as her family and friends, descended on the Cornish town this morning to greet MacArthur.

The first sighting of B&Q - nicknamed Moby by MacArthur - came from Pendennis Point, where crowds had gathered to watch the last stretch of her journey.

Surrounding the trimaran, but dwarfed by her size and splendour, were dozens of dinghies, speedboats and yachts. Escorting them in was HMS Severn, while a Coastguard crew sent water jets high into the air.

Over the quayside railings well-wishers had draped "Welcome home Ellen" banners. Children inspired by her adventure - just as she was fired by the achievements of Francis Chichesterand Chay Blyth - waved flags. Some, like the McGee family, had travelled hundreds of miles just for a glimpse of the yachtswoman who had inspired them all.

Joanne McGee, who came from Nuneaton with her husband Mark and children Sophie, 10, and nine-year-old Daniel, said they were watching history in the making.

"What Ellen has done is a wonderful achievement and we wanted to welcome her home," said Mrs McGee, 36, a children's entertainer. "This is the first time a woman has broken the record, so good on her."

AT the finish line MacArthur, born in the landlocked Derbyshire village of Whatstandwell, was joined by four members of her shore crew, who sailed the trimaran into Falmouth harbour while she got some welldeserved rest. She said looking into the eyes of another human being after so long alone at sea was "something very special. Now I can fully relax in the comfort of others".

When she set out on 28 November last year, few gave her more than a 25 per cent chance of success. Joyon had cut the previous fastest time by more than 20 days and her boat was smaller than his and therefore, in theory, slower.

Now she was revelling in the glory.