IT'S one of the toughest challenges in the world. While more than 1,800 people have reached the summit of Everest, only five people have attempted to sail solo round the world.

In just over two weeks' time the south's very own superwoman, Ellen MacArthur, will be putting her skills to the ultimate test.

Only one sailor out of the quintet, Francis Joyon, was able to circumnavigate the globe on their own non-stop.

In doing so, he claimed the world record by completing the voyage in 72 days.

Ellen, from Cowes on the Isle of Wight, shot to fame in 2001 after becoming the fastest female and youngest person ever to sail single-handed round the world in the Vendee Globe race.

She took just over 94 days to complete the epic voyage.

Preparations are in their final stages at the team's base in Lorient in France for Ellen's latest world record attempt on board the 75ft multihull.

Challenge organisers have are hoping for a 72-hour window of good weather from mid November for the start of the journey.

She will be placed on standby in Falmouth with her B&Q sponsored trimaran waiting for a weather window to open, that can propel her towards the start line between the north coast of France and The Lizard, off the south west of England.

Ellen, 28, said: "We have opted to start this record attempt by crossing the line between Ushant on the French coast and The Lizard.

"This is the traditional start and finish line for the crewed Jules Verne round the world record attempts although for a solo attempt you can, in fact, choose any starting point."

Project manager Oli Allard said: "We have a number of jobs still to be completed and a few extra things keep creeping on the job list.

"But this is normal when you are preparing a state-of-the-art multihull to go round the world and attention to detail is crucial."

Ellen's route starts in the English Channel between France and England.

She heads south towards the Canary Islands, continues across the equator, past the east coast of Brazil, before swinging eastwards past the Cape of Good Hope.

Her voyage will pass the southern tips of South Africa, Australia and South America before heading north back across the equator and on across the finish line between Ushant on the French coast and The Lizard in Cornwall.

KEEP UP TO SPEED WITH ALL THE LOCAL SAILING STORIES AND NEWS FROM AROUND THE CLUBS BY LOGGING ON TO... www.sailsolent.co.uk OR FOLLOW THE LINKS FOR SAILING ON THE MAIN PAGE.