Ellen MacArthur sailed into a raptuous reception in Southampton yesterday greeted by a cheering crowd of thousands - leaving the record-breaking sailor in no doubt of her new star-status.

Ellen arrives in Southampton.

A flotilla of sixty boats accompanied Ellen MacArthur - after sailing solo around the world, it must have seemed like quite a crowd.

It was a tough and demanding journey, she admits herself it was grit and raw determination which got her through.



Ellen MacArthur has plenty to celebrate - becoming the youngest person to sail around the world single-handed and now a household name - but she says she's determined not to let it go to her head.

Although she has only just come to the end of three-month Vendee Globe race, Ellen MacArthur has revealed plans to take part in another yacht race later this year, the Atlantic Challenge race in July. She will again be using her yacht Kingfisher, but this time with a crew.

Click here for the full story of Ellen's incredible journey