Task#1 READING Read the text and answer the questions.
Britain’s Solo Sailor
ElIen MacArthur started sailing when she was eight, going out on sailing trips with her aunt. She loved it so much that she saved her money for three years to buy her first small sailing boat. When she was 18, she sailed alone around Britain and won the 'Young Sailor of the Year' award.
But Ellen really became famous in 2001. Aged only 24, she was one of only two women who entered the Vendee Globe round the world solo race, which lasts 100 days. Despite many problems she came second in the race out of 24 competitors and she was given a heroine's welcome when she returned.
Ambition and determination have always been a big part of ElIen's personality When she was younger, she lived in a kind of hut for three years o while she was trying to gel sponsorship to compete in a transatlantic race. Then she took a one-way ticket to France, bought a tiny seven metre Classe Mini yacht, slept under it while she was repairing it, and then she raced it 4,000 kilometres across the Atlantic in 1997, alone for 33 days.
ElIen has had to learn many things, because sailing single-handed means that she has to be her own captain, electrician, sailmaker, engineer, doctor, journalist, cameraman and cook. She also has to be very fit, and because of the dangers of sleeping for long periods of time when she's in the middle of the ocean, she has trained herself to sleep for about 20 minutes at a time.
And she needs courage. Once, in the middle of the ocean, she had to climb the mast of a boat to repair the sails - at four o'clock in the morning, and with 100 kph winds blowing around her. It look her many hours to make the repairs; Ellen says: 'I was exhausted when I came down. It's hard to describe how it feels to be up there. It's like trying to hold onto a big pole, which for me is just too big to get my arms around, with someone kicking you all the time and trying to shake you off.'
But in her diary, Ellen also describes moments which make it all worthwhile: 'A beautiful sunrise
started the day, with black clouds slowly lit by the bright yellow" sun. I have a very strong feeling of pleasure, being out here on the ocean and having the chance to live this. I just feel lucky to be here.'
Read the text again answer the questions.
When did she sail alone around Britain?
How many days is the Vendee Globe race?


Where did she live for three years, and why?

Where did she sleep when she was fixing the seven metre boat?


Why does she have to be her own electrician, sailmaker, etc.?

Why does she only sleep for about twenty minutes at a time?