Ellen to tackle the Thames

After 71 days at sea setting the record for the fastest nonstop round-the-world trip, you would have thought Ellen MacArthur would have taken some time off.

But less than two weeks after her homecoming triumph she'll be back on the water - this time sailing up the Thames on Sunday.

MacArthur, 28, who was made a Dame on her return to Britain, will show off her 75ft trimaran B&Q to thousandsof Londoners expected to line the river to see the recordbreaking craft.

She said she wanted to show her gratitude for the support she received from the British public during her long, lonely voyage.

"I can honestly say that there were a couple of times when continuing with the record seemed beyond me. What kept me going were the team, who had put such a huge amount of effort into this project, and the public-who sent a constant stream of messages in support of what we were doing," she said.

MacArthur will sail from Greenwich to Tower Bridge before returning to Greenwich Pier to talk about her experiences. Her trimaran will be docked close to the Cutty Sark, one of the most famous ships in British seafaring history.

The trip is also in support of the Ellen MacArthur Trust, which supports young people who are suffering from cancer and leukaemia by taking them sailing.

MacArthur said: "I choose to do what I do - it is me who decides to put my life at risk. The kids we sail with at the trust do not choose their illness but they deal with it with amazing courage.

"It is the greatest honour for me to sail with them, it is truly humbling."

On Sunday in London, Team Ellen, her shore support crew, are hoping to re-create some of the euphoric excitement of her homecoming in Falmouth last Tuesday.

MacArthur will board the B&Q around 10am to navigate the Thames up to Tower Bridge.

She is expected to return to Greenwich two hours later.