Inspirational British solo yachtswoman, Dee Caffari, has announced that her new generation Open 60 Aviva will have two celebrity "godparents" to watch over her Aviva Ocean Racing campaign.
Inspirational British solo yachtswoman, Dee Caffari, has announced that her new generation Open 60 Aviva will have two celebrity "godparents" to watch over her Aviva Ocean Racing campaign. Briton Lady Pippa Blake and French newsreader Patrick Poivre d'Arvor will be supporting Caffari as she aims to become the first woman to sail solo non-stop around the world in both directions by completing the Vendée Globe 2008/09.
Appointing godparents to support racing yachts is a French maritime tradition but Caffari and her sponsors, Aviva, are delighted to have a representative from both sides of the Channel. Aviva's Godparents were selected for their enthusiasm and support for Dee's unique attempt at a double world first.
Lady Pippa Blake, widow of celebrated sailor and adventurer Sir Peter Blake, will be supporting Caffari as she prepares for the world's most gruelling yacht race, the Vendée Globe. Ever since the former school teacher sailed into the history books in 2006, by becoming the first woman to sail solo non-stop against the prevailing winds and currents, Caffari has been inspired by Sir Peter Blake's motto of, "If it wasn't hard it wouldn't be worth doing."
On the other side of the English Channel, Caffari is also being supported Patrick Poivre d'Arvor(affectionately known as "PPDA" in France). The broadcaster and official starter of the Vendée Globe 2008/09 will be wishing Caffari success competing in the race that has been won by his own countrymen since it's inauguration in 1989.
Caffari commented: "I am honoured that two such esteemed people are lending their support to the Aviva Ocean Racing campaign. It means so much to me that Lady Pippa Blake is to be Aviva's godmother, as I have always regarded both her and her late husband as truly inspirational people. It is also a great privilege for me as an English skipper to have the support of ‘PPDA'. The French public have embraced the sport of off-shore sailing and it's a fantastic feeling to know that such a prestigious French personality is supporting us."
Lady Pippa Blake said: "It is with great pleasure that I accept the invitation to be Aviva's godmother and I will be supporting Dee and her campaign to set a new world record by completing one of the toughest round the world yacht races. Dee has been such an inspiration to young sailors and adventurers around the world. I know my husband would have been very proud of Dee and would wish her and Aviva the best of luck and a safe passage in all of her sailing adventures."
Caffari is currently preparing for the Artemis Transat race from Plymouth to Boston that starts on Sunday 11 May. The 3,000-mile race will be the first time Caffari competes onboard her new generation Open 60 yacht, Aviva.
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