Ellen MacArthur has not ruled out trying to reclaim the title of fastest-ever sailor to complete a solo non-stop circumnavigation of the world just hours after Francis Joyon, of France, shattered her record.

Joyon's 97ft-long maxi-trimaran, named IDEC II, completed the journey in 57 days 13 hours 34 minutes 6 seconds following a 21,600 nautical miles (38,900 kilometres) journey. The 51-year-old took 14 days off the MacArthur's record and reclaimed the mark he broke in February 2004.

MacArthur was in defiant mood after seeing her record smashed. She said that just hearing updates on the Frenchman's progress made her want to take to sea again. "Records are set to be broken," she said.

The 31-year-old from Derbyshire was in Britanny to welcome Joyon home and praised his efforts. "I know it's been hard for him, that he's had to suffer," MacArthur said. "He took different options and benefitted from good weather down to the Horn. His boat is bigger so it's normal that he goes quicker but he deserves the record and I'm happy for him."

Before Joyon had neared the record mark, the magnanimous MacArthur admitted that she had been keeping her fingers crossed for him. "Above all, I'm extremely happy for him, what he's done so far is simply incredible, and I've been following his journey everyday, talking to him on a couple of occasions," she said.

MacArthur is unlikely to attempt to break the record in the next year because of her commitment to other projects.