Ellen MacArthur, the 22-year-old British sailor who came first in
her category in France’s prestigious Route du Rhum trans-Atlantic
sailing race last week, has a lot to thank Financial Dynamics for.
FD used its public relations nous to secure funding for MacArthur to
charter the 50-foot boat from one of its clients, retail conglomerate
Kingfisher. And the name of the boat she glided past the finishing line
on? Kingfisher, surprise surprise.
This is the second year the agency has rescued MacArthur: last year, she
competed in the smaller Mini Transat race thanks to pounds 10,000 of
FD’s own money. The boat she sailed on during that occasion (shown
above) bore the even less graceful name of Financial Dynamics.
FD director Hugh Morrison explains: ’Kingfisher wanted to raise their
profile in France and this was a fantastic opportunity.’ He seems almost
as taken by his clients as he is by the sporting Derbyshire lass who
garnished the pages of newspapers both here and in France this week and
last week.
’Ellen’s a phenomenal young lady. She’s become a complete cult figure in
France and she’s completely branded Kingfisher!’ Morrison enthuses.
He adds somewhat ruefully: ’I’m a great sailing fan - or used or be,
when I had a life.’
