Ellen ahead of Michael Owen

but runner up to Becks in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards

Ellen MacArthur last night came runner up behind football star David Beckham and incredibly ahead of the young talent Michael Owen in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards.

The final vote came down to a public telephone pole, which was apparently 'very close up until the final minutes' with Britain's sailing star just falling short of the England captain.

As runner up, sandwiched between the two footballers, Ellen cut an interesting contrast with the glamour of professional football, and for the first time put the sport of sailing on the map in a country that has for too long perceived it as elitist and a rich man's hobby. "The sports awards ceremony was captivating and none of us really had any idea who was going to win the ultimate trophy, even if the bookies had tipped the footballers," said Ellen MacArthur shortly after the ceremony. "In the end it was apparently a very close vote and I would just like to thank everyone throughout the country who supported me, not only in these awards but throughout the past few years. Its been a great team effort."

Ellen was awarded the Helen Rollason Award for 'outstanding courage and achievement in the face of adversity', present to her by Britain's heroic paralympics athlete Tanni Grey-Thompson.

It is an incredible achievement to finish so close to two of the worlds most famous sport's personalities, with Beckham and Owen football shirts worn throughout the world. "David Beckham was a very worthy winner and it was great to meet him and so many other individuals from the world of sport. We all share similar goals, the same kind of challenges and the same drive to be at the top of our respective sports," said Ellen, perhaps shocked after experiencing a night so often only reserved for the old-school sports.

"I had a nice chat with him [Beckham]," added MacArthur. "He was sincere and clearly interested in my own story. At the end of the day what is refreshing in these situations is that regardless of what is written in the press, we are all normal people just living our dreams. David is no different in that respect."

Ellen's busy schedule continues this week with the Sunday Times Woman of the Year awards, a full MacArthur family visit to Buckingham Palace on Wednesday to pick up her MBE, and a flying visit to France for the 'Femmes en Or' awards. After a short rest over the festive period MacArthur again picks up on her hectic schedule.

Meanwhile Kingfisher should arrive back in UK waters in the next couple of days after a delivery trip back from Brazil. On her arrival she will be rapidly prepared for the trip to London as she is being exhibited at the Boat Show that opens on 3 January at Earl's Court. As well as officially opening the Show, Offshore Challenges will be holding a press conference to announce future sponsorship and sailing plans for the coming years.