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MacArthur opts out of 2nd Vendee

MacArthur considers the Vende Globe race too tough to attempt twice in a row

LONDON, England - British sailor Ellen MacArthur will not attempt another single-handed circumnavigation in the 2004 Vendee Globe, the race which earned her worldwide fame.

MacArthur last year became the youngest person and the fastest woman ever to circumnavigate the globe as she came second in sailing's most arduous event.

But, announcing the renewal of a multi-million pound five-year sponsorship deal with retail giants Kingfisher on Thursday at the London Boat Show, MacArthur said she has plans for other projects over the next few years.

"It is true that the globe is a very special place and sailing round it alone was an incredible experience," she said.

"But I won't do the next Vendee in 2004. My objectives remain focused on the multihull circuit and the Vendee is a tough race to do twice in a row.

"We will spend the year designing and building a brand new 60-foot trimaran to do the Route de Rhum in 2006, a race that will be the culmination of our sponsorship with Kingfisher."

MacArthur will also compete in the Route de Rhum in November this year, Reuters reported.

"The Route de Rhum was the first race I ever did with Kingfisher, and I want to do that again.

"But after that, next winter, I want to take a team of people on a maxi-catamaran to be the fastest round the world full stop in 2003.

"It will take a team of 10 to 12 people to sail a boat like that, and it really will mean racing on the edge in the Southern Ocean."

She will also enter the Jules Verne trophy next year in an attempt to complete the fastest round-the-world voyage. The current record is 71 days, 14 hours, 22 minutes and eight seconds.