[citation needed] This race also featured the youngest entrant ever: Ellen MacArthur, who at 24 years old managed to put together a serious campaign with her custom-built boat Kingfisher.

[1] Yves Parlier was the first to establish a lead, and headlines were made by Dominique Wavre of Switzerland on 10 December 2000 when his 430 nautical miles broke the 24-hour record for distance sailed single-handed.

[1] Parlier dismasted while pushing to catch up and lost contact with race organizers, resulting in MacArthur's being diverted to provide assistance.

[citation needed] MacArthur pulled in to a rapturous reception, as "the youngest ever competitor to finish, the fastest woman around the planet — and only the second solo sailor to get around the globe in less than 100 days.

"[1] Parlier, meanwhile, had anchored off New Zealand, and managed to fabricate by himself a new carbon-fibre mast from his broken one, and continuing racing, gained an official place.