Tomorrow at 8.15am (GMT) British yachtswoman Dee Caffari and her Open 60 yacht Aviva will lead out the 30-strong Vendée Globe fleet from Les Sables d'Olonne, France.
Tomorrow at 8.15am (GMT) British yachtswoman Dee Caffari and her Open 60 yacht Aviva will lead out the 30-strong Vendée Globe fleet from Les Sables d'Olonne, France. In her first attempt at the gruelling round the world race, the former PE teacher from Hertfordshire will be the first skipper off the dock in Port Olona followed by the other 29 Open 60s for the official race start at 12.02pm (GMT).
Caffari, who is sponsored by Aviva the world's fifth largest insurance group, will be the first skipper to parade in front of an anticipated 300,000 supporters lining the coast and the famous channel leading out to the start line in the Bay of Biscay. French broadcaster Partick Poivre d'Arvor, who is also Aviva's Godfather, will fire the starting gun that will set the 30 solo skippers off on their 27,000 mile circumnavigation of the world.
Whilst this is Caffari's Vendée Globe debut, it will be her second solo circumnavigation of the globe having set a world record becoming the first woman to sail solo and non-stop against the prevailing winds and currents in 2006. On successful completion of the 27,000 mile race Caffari will make sporting history by becoming the only woman to have sailed solo, non-stop around the world in both directions.
Caffari said: "I can't quite believe that tomorrow Aviva and I will be lining up against so many sailing legends and to lead the fleet out is an awesome feeling. In 2000, I was here as part of Mike Golding's shore crew, but at the time my limited experience meant I was given the glamorous jobs like jumping in the freezing water and scrubbing the bottom of the boat! Now I'm here with my own Open 60 and I can't wait to go racing against the best in the world."
Caffari added: "To compete in the Vendée Globe is a dream come true but I've also got my eyes on another personal goal to become the first woman to sail solo, non-stop both ways around the world. The forecast looks pretty wet and windy tomorrow but I'm raring to go and can't wait to get started."
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For further information contact:
Caroline Ayling
Mobile: +44 (0) 7801 351950
E-mail: caroline.ayling@synergy-sponsorship.com
Kelly Russell
Mobile: +44 (0)7786 516570
E-mail: Kelly.russell@synergy-sponsorship.com
Websites: www.avivaoceanracing.com www.vendeeglobe.org
For rights free images for editorial use: www.avivaoceanracing.com/images
Notes to editors:
Dee Caffari has adopted the longstanding French tradition of appointing Godparents to support her Open 60 racing yacht. In September French broadcaster Patrick Poivre d'Arvor, who has started every edition of the Vendée Globe race and Briton Lady Pippa Blake blessed Aviva with a sabrage display in Portsmouth's Gunwharf Quay.
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 2007.
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 £359 billion at 30 June 2008.
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