The ennobled woman sees herself more as an organizer than an active sailor. The collaboration does not end abruptly: Nothing will change about the planned tour with the trimaran "B&Q", on which she wants to break records in Asia.
However, she will not take part in the 2008/2009 Vendée Globe Challenge. Maybe one of her "protégés", because Ellen MacArthur wants to head an Open 60 syndicate as boss - and just maybe get on board herself.
MacArthur: "The expedition to South Georgia put me on a new path in many ways. After ten years of professional sailing plus, if you add it up, a full year at sea, the unique partnership with B&Q will come to an end later in the year I have the opportunity to broaden my horizons and take more care of the FirmOffshore Challenges. The land management of the company, which has existed since 1995, has been almost completely taken over by my partner Mark Turner. Now it's my turn to contribute my experience. And building a two-boat Open 60 team is exactly the right task."
David Roth, Head of Marketing at B&Q, also expresses himself effusively: "Our requirements for the engagement with Offshore Challenges were subject to the highest standards. But they too have been exceeded by far."