Patrick Snowball, group executive director, Aviva UK, and record-breaking yachtswoman Dee Caffari unveiled details of Aviva's new sponsorship, the Aviva Ocean Racing campaign, at the London Boat Show today.
Patrick Snowball, group executive director, Aviva UK, and record-breaking yachtswoman Dee Caffari unveiled details of Aviva's new sponsorship, the Aviva Ocean Racing campaign, at the London Boat Show today.
Following on from her successful voyage around the world "the wrong way", Dee now plans to take on the new challenge of Open 60 yacht racing (see more details in a PDF attachment at the end of this document) and compete in the 2008-2009 Vendée Globe, the world's premier solo, non-stop, round-the-world race.
For former school teacher Dee, it means going back to school to learn a new set of sailing skills in a completely unfamiliar class of boat.
If she successfully completes the Vendée Globe, she will become the first woman to sail around the world solo, non-stop, in both directions.
Masterclass
Speaking at the launch of the Aviva Ocean Racing campaign, at the London Boat Show, Patrick Snowball called Dee's success in the Aviva Challenge "a masterclass in skill, guts and determination".
"Dee is an extraordinary sailor who is determined to push back the boundaries of her sport and inspires others to do the same in their own lives. Aviva is immensely proud of its partnership with Dee Caffari. We believe she epitomises the spirit of our ‘Forward thinking' campaign," said Patrick.
The Aviva Ocean Racing campaign will see Dee compete in a series of double-handed and single-handed training races, beginning with the Round Britain and Ireland race in June 2007.
The culmination of her two years of training will come as Dee lines up against 29 competitors at the start line at Les Sables d'Olonne in France on 9 November 2008 for the big race.
Exciting
Speaking from the London Boat Show, Dee said: "Life has been exciting since my return to dry land following the Aviva Challenge.
"I've spent some time visiting Aviva businesses and talking at conferences about my experiences and how I can relate them to your ‘Forward thinking' goals, but I admit that I'm delighted to be returning to the water with Aviva as my sponsor.
"The Aviva Ocean Racing Campaign will be a huge test for me both mentally and physically. I've got total confidence in my mental toughness and abilities, but ocean racing is a completely different style of sailing.
"When people ask me how sailing an Open 60 will be different to what I did last time, I tell them that it'll be like stepping from a 1.5 litre family saloon car into a Formula One Ferrari. They're both cars, but that's where the similarity ends. In the same way, to sail an Open 60 competitively I'll need totally different skills and that means I'm going to have to put myself through a very steep learning curve.
Training
"I don't underestimate the huge task ahead of me - training and qualifying to compete with the world's best solo sailors in the Vendée Globe - but I do relish the challenge!
"I'll keep you posted regularly via Arena with my progress and I really hope you'll send me messages and questions via the campaign website, www.avivaoceanracing.com.
"So, put 9 November 2008 in your diary and please support me in my bid to become the first woman to sail non-stop around the world in both directions and bring ‘Forward thinking' to life.
"Your goodwill messages made a huge impression on me and helped to keep me going during the Aviva Challenge, so I'd really value your support over the next two years in my toughest venture yet."