Ellen MacArthur has moved from red to amber alert for her attempt on the solo, non-stop round the world record in her trimaran B&Q

Forecasters are predicting conditions might be right for Ellen MacArthur aboard her trimaran B&Q to start her solo, non-stop, round the world record attempt as early as Sunday (28 November). There’s now a 60 per cent chance of leaving within the next five days as the standby mode changes from red to amber. Commanders’ Weather, the organisation which tracks systems, waiting for them to line up in the ideal pattern suggests that high pressure developing north west and north of the Azores on Saturday and Sunday will produce good conditions combined with a cold front forecast to be crossing the vicinity of the start this weekend. MacArthur is currently waiting in Falmouth ready to head for the start between Ushant and the Lizard. The record time to beat is Francis Joyon’s 72 days, 22 hours, 54 minutes and 22 seconds.