Round the world…

…and Ellen MacArthur – why bother?
She has sailed around the world trying to set a new world record, but why? MacArthur is famous for letting us see her sob on route to her second place in the Vendee Globe round-the-world race in 2001, imitated as someone eager to throw her hands on the air for the slightest diversion from her goal (copied from those infamous lone videos) on TV show Deadringers, and, um, that’s it.
Ok, she sails.
Alone.
And she does it in front of webcams and with full computer access to keep the press, her sponsors and fans happy.
But what’s the point?
Its not going to solve the worlds problems, cause warring factions to lay down their arms nor bring about financial prosperity for anyone (except her), so what the point?
Ok – she will be the fastest, until the next one. I have just heard someone on TV say “she will go down in the history books…” – no she won’t. Who remembers Francis Joyon, the Frenchman who currently (at this point, anyway) holds the record? You do? So what about the one before him, or before him, or him? Only anal retentives would be worried about memorising who currently holds the round the world speed record – for anything – let alone previous record holders.
Go on – tell me why it matters. Humour me.
Its not mankind against nature – she has every technological advance that was possible to fit on the damned boat, bar a teleport platform (maybe I could have sold her one on the basis that she obviously didn’t have one…). Robin Knox-Johnson sailed around the world with a few maps and a barometer borrowed from a pub – Ellen MacAthur has so much electronic assistance you have to wonder why its called ‘solo’…

Here endeth the rant.

Flood