Ellen MacArthur’s boat Kingfisher should be re-launched by the beginning of next week in Cowes, ready for trials and workup before sailing to France to compete in the Regata du Rubicon in May.

The Regata du Rubicon is where all the top Open 60s will reunite for the first big competition of the year. And the highly competitive fleet of 12 boats will include Ellen’s great friend and rival Roland Jourdain (SILL) with whom she will do battle in the solo transatlantic race, the Route du Rhum, in November.

Nick Moloney will rejoin the Kingfisher Sailing Team for the second leg of the regatta, fresh from his Jules Verne Challenge attempt aboard Orange.