British record-breaking solo yachtswoman Dee Caffari is eyeing up gold today as her Open 60 yacht Aviva competes in the Artemis Challenge yacht race.
- Olympian and Commonwealth Gold medallist Dean Macey and British solo yachtswoman Samantha Davies join Dee Caffari's Open 60 crew in Cowes Week's most anticipated sailing battle around the Isle of Wight
British record-breaking solo yachtswoman Dee Caffari is eyeing up gold today as her Open 60 yacht Aviva competes in the Artemis Challenge yacht race. Caffari has invited inspirational decathlete Dean Macey to join her crew in the 50-mile charity sprint around the Isle of Wight. The solo skipper is taking part in the Artemis Challenge ahead of her ultimate goal the gruelling round-the-world Vendée Globe 2008/09 race, starting on 9 November, where she aims to become the first woman to sail solo and non-stop around the world in both directions.
Caffari has enlisted the help of Dean "The Machine" Macey renowned for his dogged determination, strong mental attitude and "no quitting" mentality. Macey, a passionate angler is no stranger to water so Caffari is hoping he will find his sea legs, take the helm and help guide Aviva to victory.
Dean Macey said from Cowes before the race start: "I'm really privileged that Dee and Aviva have asked me to join the crew for this charity race. I'm into fishing but I've never been on an Open 60 racing yacht before so I'm not quite sure what to expect. I've heard these boats are at the top of the sailing game so can't wait to get out there. The atmosphere in Cowes is fantastic so here's hoping I bring some gold medal luck to the Aviva Ocean Racing team and we cross the finish line in first place."
The race will see Caffari take on her Open 60 competitors, including Jonny Malbon on Artemis Ocean Racing II, Brian Thompson on Pindar, Simon Clay on Artemis Ocean Racing I, Steve Wight on Spirit of Weymouth and her technical alliance partner Mike Golding on Ecover 3. She will also be joined by fellow British solo yachtswoman Sam Davies. Caffari and Davies, usually competitors on the Open 60 circuit, are hoping that ‘girl power' will prevail and Aviva will cross the finish line in podium position.
Dee Caffari said before the race started at 10am today: "It is awesome that Dean is here today, I'm a huge fan of his. We are going use Dean's assets to our best advantage and have him grinding as much as possible. Sam's boat Roxy wasn't able to make it for the race so I invited her to join the Aviva crew so show the Open 60 boys that we girls stick together. They'll have a real battle on their hands today!"
Aviva, the world's fifth largest savings, investments and insurance company have supported Caffari since she set sail on her inspirational record breaking solo voyage around the world against the prevailing winds and currents in 2005. The company has also supported UK Athletics since 1999 and will continue to support the sport from playground to podium through to 2012.
-ends-
For further information and interview requests contact:
Caroline Ayling
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 3128 6825
Mobile: +44 (0) 7801 351950
E-mail: caroline.ayling@synergy-sponsorship.com
Kelly Russell
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 3128 6822
Mobile: +44 (0) 7786 516570
E-mail: Kelly.russell@synergy-sponsorship.com
Website:
Notes to editors:
About 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 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 £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.
Aviva has supported UK Athletics since 1999 under the Norwich Union brand. The company is committed to supporting UK athletics from playground to podium until the end of 2012.
Dean Macey
Dean first stormed onto the world scene at the 1999 World Championships in Seville by breaking 6 personal bests to obtain an outstanding silver medal. This magnificent achievement was accomplished at the tender age of 21 and saw him named The BBC's Young Sports Personality of the Year as well as Young Sportsmen of the Year.
Hailed as the new Daley Thompson, Dean entered 2000 as one of Britain's main contenders for Sydney Olympic glory. Despite the fact that due to an injury he was unable to complete a competitive decathlon prior to the Games, an incredible first day saw him smash two lifetime bests in the long jump and 400m to lie in 2nd place overnight. Dean finally finished a very credible 4th place, only 74 points off the eventual champion.
Much to the delight of the UK public, Dean put his three years of injury hell behind him to gain a place at the 2004 Olympics in Athens and then continued to prove his world class status by placing 4th overall. After time out again in 2005 for injury, 2006 saw Dean return to action in quite spectacular style with a gold medal win at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.
Dean has a passion for angling and this led to his hosting his on show ‘On Coarse' for Discovery Real Time. In the show Dean travels the country meeting some of the UK's top experts and challenging them at their game. Dean is also regular guest on TV and radio including ‘A Question of Sport' and Radio 5 Live, you can here him on 5 Live throughout the Beijing Olympics.