British yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur's was powering ahead in her bid to set a new solo round-the-world record as she navigated 715 miles off the southwest tip of Australia.

According to her webstie http://www.teamellen.com, she sailed at a swift 20 knots through the night in an easterly direction along the direct course and had built up her best advantage so far over record holder Francis Joyon of France.

At 0710 GMT on Monday MacArthur in her 75-foot trimaran B&Q was 1 day 6 hours and 21 minutes ahead of the pace set by Joyon last February as he set the record of 72 days, 22 hours, 54 minutes and 22 seconds.

She was positioned at 45.10 degrees latitude and 108.02 degrees longitude in the Southern Ocean having covered a total of 11,881 miles at an avearge speed of 17.1 knots.

The 28-year-old MacArthur's website stressed that she was in no danger from the tidal waves that pummelled coastlines of southern and southeastern Asia on Sunday.

Such tidal effects were barely noticeable in the open ocean, the site said and were more like a giant high tide that only becomes a devastating wave when it hits shallow water.

MacArthur, who sailed away from the island of Ouessant off western France on November 28, will have to return to Ouessant by February 9, 2005 if she is to beat Joyon's record.

(Agencies)