Laureus World Sports Awards
British yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur with the alternative sportsperson's award which she received for breaking the world record for a round-the-world solo voyage.
Already the fastest woman (since 2001) she became the youngest person ever to make a solo circumnavigation. Last autumn, she set off from Falmouth and went on to beat Frenchman Francis Joyon's record by one day. MacArthur completed the 27,000-mile journey in 71 days, 14 hours, 18 minutes and 33 seconds.
The 28 year-old battled hurricanes, dodged icebergs and whales and endured endless nights en route through some of the world's most notorious weather spots -- past the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa and round Cape Horn in South America. She never slept for more than 15 to 30 minutes at a stretch, just four hours a day.
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