Born on 8 July 1976 in Derbyshire, Great Britain, Ellen MacArthur gained international recognition in 2001, after finishing second in the Vendée Globe aged 24. An exceptional, engaging sailor, she took the round the world solo record in 2005 on board her 75 foot Trimaran until Francis Joyon bettered this performance at the start of 2008. Passionate about sailing from a very early age, Ellen began her career in 1995 with a solo trip round Great Britain. She then took part in the Mini-Transat de Brest two years later, which gave her the opportunity to race in the Route du Rhum in 1998 where she won her class on board the 50 foot monohull “Kingfisher”. She spent the next 3 years preparing for the “Everest of the Oceans” before finally being successful in the Vendée Globe. Alongside fellow sailors Seb Josse and Nick Moloney, Ellen formed BT Team Ellen in 2007. In partnership with Renault Eco2, this project will allow her to promote the values close to her heart: those of sustainable development.