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Dee Caffari

Born on 23rd January 1973 in Hertfordshire (Great Britain)
Lives in Hampshire (Great Britain)
IMOCA Skipper since 2007

www.avivaoceanracing.com


  In May 2006, Dee Caffari completed the Aviva Challenge, becoming the first woman to sail solo, non-stop around the world against the prevailing winds and currents.  In doing this, she proved herself to be a yachtswoman of the highest calibre. Since her return she has not rested on her laurels and has participated in a number of adventure races and charity events, culminating  in 2006 with the Mark Webber Challenge where 12 teams of four people ran, kayaked and cycled almost 600km around Tasmania. In April 2007, Caffari completed the Flora London Marathon raising funds for her chosen charity, Sail 4 Cancer. These events have given Caffari an outlet for her spirit of adventure whilst also maintaining her fitness in preparation for her future challenges.


Dee Caffari, born in Hertfordshire, is 33 years old and based on the South Coast of England when on land. She started sailing as a child with her father, developing a passion for the water and going on to become a dinghy instructor at university. Caffari started her career as a secondary school PE teacher, but soon realised that her destiny was a life on the water.  She gave up her job and completed the relevant yachting qualifications. After spending some time travelling, she returned to the UK to take up a job with Mike Golding Yacht Racing and it was here that she had her first taste of the world of Open 60’s. Being in Southampton in 2000 to see the Global Challenge fleet  begin their voyage crystallized Caffari’s desire to be involved in around the world yacht racing and her opportunity came in 2004. Whilst skippering and managing Formula 1 Sailing’s Farr 65s, she was offered a job as a professional skipper in the Global Challenge fleet by Sir Chay Blyth. During the Global Challenge 2004/5, Caffari successfully skippered 17 amateur yachtsmen around the world, sailing the same 72ft yacht which she used to complete her solo circumnavigation in 2006.


In January 2007, Dee announced her Aviva Ocean Racing campaign where she returns to the sea to compete in various high profile races leading up to her entry in the Vendee Globe 2008/9. Upon successful completion of this most competitive of offshore solo sailing races, she will set another world record by becoming the first female to sail solo around the world in both directions. Caffari is a patron of Sail for Cancer and was presented with the YJA Yachtsman of the Year Award in January 2007 She enjoys life and wants to make the most of it, living by her motto – Dare, Dream, Discover.


Results

- 2008: 8th of The Artemis Transat 2008
- 2007: Mini Transgascogne with Oliver Bond (10th to Leg 1 and 6th to leg 2), Calais Round Britain Race, Aviva Ocean Racing Campaign is announced in January
- 2006: Mark Webber Pure Tasmania Challenge
- 2005/2006: first woman to circumnavigate the globe, solo, against the prevailing winds and currents
- 2004/2005: Global Challenge Race

And also

- YJA Yachtsman of the Year Award (winner)
- Royal Variety Award for Sporting Courage (winner – Yachtswoman of the Year)
- BBC South Yachtswoman of the Year Award (winner)
- Raymarine Yachtswoman of the Year Award (short listed – final 3)
- BBC South Sports Personality of the Year Award (short listed)
- Morgan Stanley ‘Great Briton’ Award (short listed)
- Square Mile Sport Awards (short listed)
- UK Woman of the Year Award (nominated)
- ISAF Sailor of the Year (short listed)
- Leeds Metropolitan University Graduation – Honorary Doctorate
- Congratulations of the Parliament


Press Contact: Caroline Ayling at Caroline.Ayling@synergy-sponsorship.com

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