"I've just read this marvellous book," said my friend "would you like to borrow it? It's Ellen MacArthur's autobiography". Her son had given her the book on Mother's Day. I could understand that. Her son's a sailor, although aircraft carriers are more his thing than single-handed ocean racers. I've no connection with the sea, or sailing, but I didn't like to refuse and the book came home with me.
You'll find her [http://www.ellenmacarthur.com/ website] interesting. It's even better when there's race on as there's the chance of live web-cam pictures.