Tracy Edwards has secured the funds to move forward with her attempt on the Jules Verne Trophy next year in the giant catamaran Maiden 2.

Since the campaign was first announced earlier this year, Edwards, who mortgaged her house to raise funds to buy the former Club Med which won The Race in 2001, has struggled to find funds for her campaign.

Confirmation of her bid on the Jules Verne record, which is set to take place at the same time as Ellen MacArthur's attempt on Kingfisher, was delayed as conversations with potential sponsors broke down.

Now, Edwards says she has raised enough cash to fund a three- year campaign though will not announce the identity of her backer until the boat is relaunched next month following a refit at Spitfire Quay in Southampton.

"We do have the money and words cannot describe how relieved I am," Edwards said.

While Edwards has been trawling UK boardrooms, her crew headed up by Brian Thompson and Helena Darvelid have been collecting speed records though Maiden 2's coveted Round Britain and Ireland record was beaten just days after being set.

A lack of time on the boat this year is likely to prevent Edwards from taking part in a Jules Verne attempt but the ex-Maiden skipper, who won fame after her success in the Whitbread Race in 1990, is yet to announce her plans.