The start of the Vendée Globe 2008/09 yacht race is only 63 days away and today at Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth, Dee Caffari had her Open 60 yacht Aviva blessed by its celebrity godparents ahead of the gruelling round the world race.
The start of the Vendée Globe 2008/09 yacht race is only 63 days away and today at Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth, Dee Caffari had her Open 60 yacht Aviva blessed by its celebrity godparents ahead of the gruelling round the world race. Briton Lady Pippa Blake, widow of celebrated sailor and Caffari's long-time inspiration Sir Peter Blake, and French news presenter Patrick Poivre d'Arvor wished Aviva and the solo yachtswoman a safe passage during the Vendée Globe.
If she completes the Vendée Globe, Caffari will make history by becoming the first woman to sail solo, non-stop around the world in both directions. The solo skipper wanted to adopt the longstanding French tradition of appointing Godparents to support her Open 60 racing yacht.
To celebrate today's blessing by Lady Pippa Blake and Patrick Poivre d'Arvor, Dee has chosen to perform a sabrage with the boat's two guardians. The sabrage is a ceremonial display whereby the cork of a champagne bottle is extravagantly removed by swiping the bottle with a sword. Caffari learnt the art of sabrage when invited earlier this year by Mumm Champagne to join the new Cordon Rouge Club, a revered group of adventurers and explorers.
Aviva's godparents performed the ritual on the foredeck as they gave the state of the art yacht their blessing. The trio were joined by Philip Scott, chief financial officer of Aviva, the world's fifth largest savings, investments and insurance company who have supported Dee and her team since her first record breaking voyage, the Aviva Challenge, in 2005.
Lady Pippa Blake, said: "I'm delighted and honoured to be Aviva's godmother. The Vendée Globe is one of the toughest ocean races, and I wish Dee and Aviva the best of luck in completing the race and setting a new world record. Dee is a really inspirational woman and it gives me great pleasure to bless such a magnificent yacht. I know my husband would be proud of her, and would wish both Dee and the boat a safe passage around the globe."
Caffari and Aviva also have a godparent from the other side of the English Channel, as one of France's best known news presenters Patrick Poivre d'Arvor (affectionately known as "PPDA"), who today lent his support to Dee and her Aviva Ocean Racing campaign. The broadcaster will be the official starter of the Vendée Globe, on Sunday 9 November 2008. Poivre d'Arvor will fire the gun to set the thirty-strong fleet on its way around the world. The Frenchman today wished Caffari success in completing the race which has only been won by his own countrymen since it's inauguration in 1989.
Caffari commented: "It's been wonderful to celebrate Aviva today, she's such a powerful and commanding racing yacht and to have her blessed by Lady Pippa Blake and Patrick Poivre d'Arvor is a great honour. These last few weeks I've been getting miles under my belt and testing Aviva ahead of the Vendée Globe. We've really bonded and I'm excited at the prospect of getting over to the start in France. I hope having Patrick on the start line in Les Sable d'Olonne will give Aviva and me some extra luck!"
Philip Scott, chief financial officer, Aviva added: "Everyone at Aviva is hugely proud of Dee's achievement's to date and we all wish her the best of luck in the Vendée Globe. I know that she has the support of all our employees around the world behind her. There have been messages from nearly all our offices around the world as far as India and Canada wishing her a safe passage. We're all looking forward to watching the race unfold later in the year."
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