British skipper to celebrate second anniversary of record making voyage in the mid-Atlantic sailing solo onboard her racing yacht Aviva.
- British skipper to celebrate second anniversary of record making voyage in the mid-Atlantic sailing solo onboard her racing yacht Aviva
- Caffari's has sights on a double world record - being the first woman to sail solo non-stop around the world in both directions
Then: On 18 May 2006 Dee Caffari completed the Aviva Challenge, her solo non-stop circumnavigation against the prevailing winds and currents around the world. That blustery Thursday she made history by becoming the first woman to ever complete the demanding feat known to many as the ‘impossible voyage'. Caffari was met by HRH The Princess Royal after 178 days at sea alone. She then received an MBE in the Queen's birthday honours last October.
Now: Caffari is due to celebrate the second anniversary of her record making voyage in style - but once again alone at sea - by popping open a bottle of champagne onboard her Open 60 yacht Aviva in the mid-Atlantic. The solo skipper is currently competing in the Artemis Transat, a 2,700 mile race from Plymouth to Boston, USA. It will be her last competitive offshore race before she takes on her dream goal, to become the first woman to sail solo, non-stop around the world in both directions by completing the Vendée Globe 2008/09.
Caffari said from onboard Aviva in the mid-Atlantic: "I can't believe it's been two years since I completed the Aviva Challenge. It seems so appropriate that I'll be celebrating whilst sailing all by myself again. I've got so many memories of my round the world adventure, from sailing with the dolphins to being stuck up the mast, helpless for hours whilst a storm headed towards me. Some people say solo sailors are crazy but I wouldn't change what I do for the world. Being at one with the sea, your boat and challenging yourself is what I'm all about!
"My new boat Aviva and I plan to celebrate with some bubbles tomorrow but I'm staying focused on the current race. We're about half way to Boston so I've got a few more miles to complete before we'll have a real celebration!"
Caffari launched her Aviva Ocean Racing campaign in January 2007 and now aims to make history again by completing the world's most gruelling round the world yacht race, the Vendée Globe. In joining the elite Open 60 class Caffari faces the toughest competition including legendary solo skippers, Loick Peyron, Michel Desjoyeaux and Vincent Roux. She has come along way in the first 17 months of her offshore campaign but in comparison to skippers like Loick Peyron, who was successfully competing in transatlantic races when Caffari was only six years old, the British yachtswoman has some serious experience to compete against.
For further information about Dee Caffari's Aviva Ocean Racing campaign and to follow her progress in the Artemis Transat log on to www.avivaoceanracing.com.
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For further information and interview requests contact:
Caroline Ayling, Mbl: +44 (0)7801 351950, Tel: +44 (0)20 7202 2840,
email: carolinea@karen-earl.co.uk
Kelly Russell, Mbl +44 (0)7786 516570, Tel: +44 (0)20 7202 2862,
email: kellyr@karen-earl.co.uk
Notes to editors:
- The Aviva Challenge - Dee Caffari's solo, non-stop voyage around the world against the prevailing winds and currents - took 178 days, 3 hours, 6 minutes and 15 seconds (ratified by the World Sailing Speed Record Council). Caffari crossed the finish line on 18 May 2006.
- The Aviva Ocean Racing campaign is Dee Caffari's aim to become the first woman to sail solo, non-stop around the world in both directions by completing the Vendée Globe 2008/09
Aviva
- Aviva is the leading provider of life and pensions to Europe with substantial positions in other markets around the world, making it the world's fifth largest insurance group based on gross worldwide premiums at 31 December 2006.
- Aviva's principal business activities are long-term savings, fund management and general insurance, with worldwide total sales of £49.2 billion and funds under management of £364 billion at 31 December 2007.
- The Aviva media centre at www.aviva.com/media includes images, company and product information and a news release archive.