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Kingfisher have announced their backing of Ellen McArthur's new project, the construction of a new 75ft trimaran, that Ellen will race in a programme of single handed record breaking events. Whilst still being committed to Ellen's other attempts as announced in January 2002, the finale of which is the 2006 Route du Rhum.

The trimaran is being designed by British architect Nigel Irens, in conjunction with the Offshore Challenges Technical Team, and it's sole purpose is to break all records for solo attempts, much like the Monohull Kingfisher.

Construction will start at the end of April in Australia, allowing Ellen to get a feel for the vessel, and maybe her first record under her belt on the return journey. The project is expected to reach completion by 2006, in time for the Route du Rhum.

In the meantime Ellen will be taking a few weeks off before concentrating on some of the crewed events running this year, such as the double handed Transatlantic Jaques Vabre in November.