h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

OK, the title is wrong. I know what the fuss is, she is a great yachtswoman. But I can't help feeling that some of the great sense of achievement has been taken out of the whole thing. I don't pretend to know much about sailing, but in the modern age you will be supplied with a load of electronic aids to help one through the 'ordeal'. GPS, for example.

I do acknowledge that Ellen MacArthur did well, and that she has great reserves of strength and endurance, both mental and physical. But how much skill is involved? (This is not so much a challenge as an actual question; so if you know what skill there is involved please set me right.)

I'm not a naughtical person either, but I think the "fuss" is that a real live human being managed to achieve something that other real live human beings think is beyond their own capabilities.

I reckon she should be just be applauded for having the courage and expertise to achieve something she set out to do and leave it at that.

In my rather jaded opinion, its rather like the certificates they issue the kids at school nowadays - "Well done for attnding school every day for a week" type things.

Praise where praise is due, sure... but don't lets labour the point, please!

It's because she broke the record. She sailed alone around the whole world, for several months. It's dangerous and takes great reserves of courage and strength.

And the fuss is.... because she broked the record and has great reserves of courage and strength, right?

Hadn't I already said that the fuss was because she'd done something other people thought "Wow! *I* couldn't do that, so lets leap up and down and praise someone who can!"

Like I ALSO said, praise where praise is due; she broke a man made record. Great. If that is praiseworthy, then, fair play to the lady.

Great reserves of courage and strength? Hmm. Lots of people have those. There are thousands of unsung heroes battling with the elements and lonliness and lots of known and unknown dangers.

This lady CHOSE to face them, of her own free will, I assume?

And she's praised for it.


Oddly enough, I don't hear an awful lot of praise or celebration for the people who grit their teeth and withstand hardships they didn't CHOOSE to withstand - but have had to anyway.


She got to do something and achieve something she WANTED to do.

I think it's a great thing for her to have achieved; but I don't think it merits an enormous amount of praise.

However, we're digressing from the pointl arn't we? The question was "How much skill was involved?"

A good question, and one I haven't got an answer for.

Well, I disagree. Let's leave it at that, shall we?

As to skill, I don't really know, having not done it myself, but I'd venture that sailing alone around the world is not exactly a walk in the park.

Actually, you might get more of an idea by reading her autobiography. It was released before the record attempt, but she does chronicle some of the other tough races she's taken part in. It's called "Taking on the World".

I think that what's special about this woman is her single minded determination and passion for what she does. Ok I know she chose to do it, but what sets her apart is her attitude and approach. She makes me feel proud to be female, she's an exceptional woman. Oh and yes an incredible amount of skill is involved in modern day sailing.

You may be interested to note, she came in the Time 100 list of most influential people.

Good for her

I thought so.