Today, record breaking yachtswoman Dee Caffari celebrates her double world first by bringing her Open 60 racing yacht Aviva down the River Thames and through the historic Tower Bridge in London. Two weeks ago the 36-year-old former PE teacher from Watford, Hertfordshire became the first woman to sail solo, non-stop both ways around the world when she completed the Vendée Globe yacht race.
Today, record breaking yachtswoman Dee Caffari celebrates her double world first by bringing her Open 60 racing yacht Aviva down the River Thames and through the historic Tower Bridge in London. Two weeks ago the 36-year-old former PE teacher from Watford, Hertfordshire became the first woman to sail solo, non-stop both ways around the world when she completed the Vendée Globe yacht race.
The solo yachtswoman finished the race on 16 February after spending 99 days at sea alone on her circumnavigation the right way around the world. With the 178 days it took her to go the ‘wrong way' (against the prevailing winds and currents) in 2005/06 she has now amassed 277 days of solo sailing in some of the worlds most inhospitable seas.
Despite facing some daunting challenges along the way, including hurricane strength winds and a disintegrating mainsail, Caffari has set a record for being the first solo female both ways round the world whilst only four men have achieved the same feat. Caffari is now back in the UK and is celebrating with the capital as the city recognises her outstanding achievement.
Caffari said: "Today is all about recognising the support I had from fans and followers all over the world. Aviva and I spent 99 days at sea alone but I always felt as though I had the support of friends, family and even people I had never met before.
"Being alone for all that time and then only a couple of weeks later bringing the boat to the heart of one of the world's largest cities is an incredible feeling and it will be very memorable sailing through Tower Bridge.
"It's also a great chance for people to come and see an Open 60 racing boat, not something I imagine is common place for the average London commuter!"
Caffari is due to sail through Tower Bridge at 3.30pm (GMT) and will return through the bridge again at 4.30pm.
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For further information and interview requests contact:
Caroline Ayling
M: +44 (0) 7801 351950
E: caroline.ayling@synergy-sponsorship.com
Kelly Russell
M: +44 (0)7786 516570
E: Kelly.russell@synergy-sponsorship.com
NEWS SERVICES
The following services will be made available for use by all media:
TV footage/VNR - APP will feed a VNR taken from Dee Caffari and Aviva coming up the Thames. APP will provide a feed of an in-depth interview with Dee Caffari for use by all media. Contact: Lisa Hynes, APP +44 (0) 1865 260200 or Caroline Ayling, Synergy +44 (0) 7801 351950.
Photography - Getty will provide royalty-free pictures for media use. Contact Neil Loft on +44 (0) 207 428 5274.
Interview Requests:
Please contact Caroline Ayling or Kelly Russell for interview requests with Dee Caffari.
Website:
www.avivaoceanracing.com
Notes to editors:
- 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.
- The Aviva media centre at www.aviva.com/media includes images, company and product information and a news release archive.