GO on, let rip. "Rule Britannia - Britannia rules the waves..."

Well, one Briton, to be precise. Ellen MacArthur sailed into history last night, becoming the fastest person to sail single-handedly around the world non-stop.

It is an astonishing achievement that places her in the pantheon of great British adventurers, from Captain Cook to Amy Johnson.

To sail 27,354 miles alone without a break takes skill, determination and endurance as deep as the Pacific itself. Since setting off from the Isle of Wight 71-and-a-bit days earlier, Ellen has barely slept. She has changed sails up to 15 times a day.

In the course of her voyage, she has nearly crashed into a whale, gashed her head and recovered from technical nightmares that would have scuppered lesser skippers.

The whole nation should be united in paying tribute to its new heroine today.

Sadly, this being Britain, there are some lining up to knock her achievement. Her boat is too high-tech, they say. Her satellite navigation system is less romantic than the sextant and chronometer of old.

This is nonsense of course. It is like saying that a modern athlete's record-breaking run is less valid than Roger Bannister's four-minute mile because he wore heavier running shoes.

The Queen recognised Ellen's "courage, skill and stamina" today. An honour cannot be far behind.

Sir Francis Drake, Sir Francis Chichester, Sir Chay Blyth... Dame Ellen MacArthur?

Updated: 10:41 Tuesday, February 08, 2005