Dame Ellen MacArthur, who on Monday became the fastest round-the-world sailor, got her first taste of the sport on the Essex coast.
Dame Ellen, 28, first boarded her Aunt Thea's boat in Burnham, on the River Crouch, aged just four.
Her aunt kept the 27ft boat moored there and Ellen spent many happy breaks with her parents.
Another favourite vessel was the Burnham-built Inn Spirit, in which Ellen partnered owner Alan Bartlett during Burnham Week.
Dame Ellen said Inn Spirit, which still resides in Burnham Yacht Harbour, reminded her of the 21ft cruiser Iduna, which she bought with her pocket money at 18 and sailed solo around Britain.
It was no surprise to Burnham sailors when her 75ft trimaran crossed the finishing line between Lizard Point and Ushant on Monday night after 71 days, 14 hours 18 minutes and 27,300 miles afloat.
Thousands of fans gathered to toast her achievement when, accompanied by a flotilla of yachts, she entered Falmouth harbour as the fifth and fastest sailor in history to race non-stop around the world in a multi-hulled boat.
More in today's Evening Gazette
Published Wednesday, February 9, 2005
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