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17 May 2005, 11:38 am

Ellen Receives Laureus Sports Award

Ellen MACARTHUR

Estoril, Portugal

Ellen MACARTHUR has been named 'Alternative Sportsperson of the Year' at this year's Laureus Sports Awards. The Laureus Sports Academy is the only worldwide sports awards ceremony to honour the best in sportsmen and women for their achievements across all disciplines and was beamed to a worldwide television audience of 460 million.

It was established in 2000 and is committed to promoting and celebrating all that is positive in sport and those who have excelled within their field. It

At a showbiz-style ceremony in Estoril, Portugal last night MACARTHUR was joined by other athletes, film stars and sports personalities from around the world to celebrate this year's awards.

On receiving the award, Ellen commented: 'It is a huge honour to receive this award and another great achievement for the team. I was in the company of so many athletes who have pushed the boundaries within their own sporting discipline to reach the highest level possible and that in itself was inspiring. The Laureus Sports Academy is committed to supporting and promoting every type of sport, mainstream or otherwise and it is a fantastic opportunity to be a part of that.'

The nominees for Alternative Sportsperson of the Year 2005 were:

Darren BERRECLOTH (CAN) - Mountain Bike Freerider
Gunn-Rita DAHLE (NOR) - Mountain Bike Racer
Dallas FRIDAY (USA) - Wakeboarding
Mike HORN (RSA) - Explorer
Ellen MACARTHUR (GBR) - Yachtswoman/Solo Sailor
Shane MCCONKEY (USA) - Freeskier, BASE Jumper

Meanwhile the trimaran on which Ellen broke the single-handed round the world record, B&Q, was lifted out of the water last Friday and into the shed at Medina Boat Yard in West Cowes, Isle of Wight, Great Britain. The shore team are setting about the repair work to the central bow that was caused when the 75-foot trimaran was struck by a Nelson Launch in East Cowes Marina.

Oli ALLARD, Project Manager, said: 'It was a difficult lift due to the strong north-easterly winds we had to work with but B&Q is safely out of the water and we have started the repair work. We have had a nice surprise as part of the sacrificial crash box at the bow can be saved [initial damage assessment had suggested otherwise]. It is good news for the structure of the boat that has shown, one more time, that it works but the longest part of the job will be the respray and artwork. The composite side should be finished before this Sunday and we are hoping to be back in operation by the 30 May.'

This unforeseen turn of events will not have a significant or long-term effect on the trimaran's programme, although one standby period for a planned smaller record attempt has been lost.