B&Q arrives in Falklands

Ellen's pit stop going to plan prior to her solo departure on Friday

The 75ft B&Q trimaran arrived in the Falkland Islands on Monday to an enthusiastic reception from the Royal Navy. Ellen and her crew were escorted into Mare Harbour on the eastern coast of the Islands, with a fly over from two Tornado jets. The local wildlife also joined in with a host of cormorants and dolphins welcoming the boat.

Reaching the Falklands marks an end to the 4800-mile Southern Ocean testing and delivery trip from Auckland, New Zealand. The trip has taken less than 17 days to complete and has been a real chance for Ellen to see how the trimaran handled in the big seas and strong winds of the Southern Ocean. B&Q proved herself – being able to average speeds of 20 knots for long periods.

The trimaran will now remain in the Falkland Islands for the next week whilst checks are completed throughout the hull and mast. Subject to this examination, Ellen will prepare to leave the Falklands on B&Q’s maiden solo voyage this Friday.

Ellen said: "The welcome into the Harbour has been just awesome. We have been truly welcomed in style by the Navy and the wildlife alike! The cormorants flying alongside were just so tame and just kept on swooping and gliding along with the boat. As for the tornados, wow, they were really fantastic, the loops and flyovers really was a sight to see. We are very lucky to have witnessed them at such close range.

It is now a question of checking the boat, testing the communication systems and making sure everything is ready for when I leave this week. The boat is looking really good and I can’t wait to get going again.”