British woman Ellen MacArthur broke the round-world sailing record in an Australian-built trimaran.

The $2.3 million trimaran was built at the Boatspeed yard in Gosford, north of Sydney.

More than 30,000 man hours went into the construction of the Nigel Irens-designed trimaran at the Boatspeed facility over a seven-month period that began in May 2003.

The three-hulled structure was made entirely of carbon fibre to withstand the extreme conditions and loads she experienced across the world's oceans.

The B&Q trimaran was constructed with one objective, to attempt to set new solo speed sailing records.

Boatspeed owners Peter and Sari Ullrich were at Falmouth in the UK to join the thousands to welcome MacArthur home following her epic trip.

Among the tributes showered on her were the "warmest congratulations" of Queen Elizabeth after the 218-year-old completed the journey in 71 days, 14 hours, 18 minutes and 33 seconds.

MacArthur said she was "physically and mentally exhausted" but "absolutely overjoyed" at the end of her voyage.

Speaking from the trimaran, she said: "I am elated, I am absolutely drained, it has been a very tough trip."

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