Having almost made it to the start line off Ushant, Ellen MacArthur and her Kingfisher crew had to abort their Jules Verne Challenge start this morning due to mast track problems.

Ellen explained by satellite phone the reasons for the delay: “To start a 26,000 mile race around the world without being in 100 per cent form would not be a good move, and we made the decision just after 0900gmt to head for calmer waters for a fuller inspection and eventual repair. We have done some good, hard miles in the current configuration, and the conditions we have experienced since we left Lorient have been difficult but nothing out of the ordinary. Further investigation will no doubt provide the answer.”

The boat will be sailed under headsail towards the shelter of Plymouth, south west England where the shore team will meet the giant catamaran and work on getting the boat back to sea as soon as possible.

Despite their immediate disappointment, Ellen, the crew and the shore team are already fully focused on the solution and, if the weather window stays open, they should set off by the end of the week.