NEW EUROPE

Going by the name of Aviva, her British sailor got a feel for her boat during The Transat (6th) before changing the keel on her canary yellow IMOCA prior to her singlehanded round the world. Sixth at the finish in Les Sables d’Olonne, and first woman to sail round the world in both directions, Dee Caffari invited fellow Britons Sam Davies and Miranda Merron aboard for an express Round Britain and Ireland (record in 6 days 11 hours), then took part in the Transat Jacques Vabre 2009 with Brian Thompson (8th) and the Barcelona World Race with Spanish skipper Anna Corbella (6th) in the colours of GAES Centros Auditivos. At the end of the double-handed race around the world, the monohull was put up for sale in 2012, being used for various missions in the interim. Five seasons later, Ari Huusela from Finland, an Airbus 350 pilot and amateur sailor, secured his ticket on her for the Route du Rhum, which he completed in 11th place. After the singlehanded Guyader Bermudes 1000 Race, then the double-handed Transat Jacques Vabre with Michael Ferguson, the Scandinavian prepared the boat in Lorient for what would be his first Vendée Globe. A dream come true, he finished the race in 25th, bringing the event to a close after 116 days aboard Stark. In 2021, he sold his boat to Hungarian Weöres Szabolcs with a view to the Vendée Globe 2024. ‘Szabi’ began sailing at 7 years of age on Lake Balaton and went on to specialise in composites and rigging until he joined the South African challenge for the America’s Cup 2007. The ice sailing specialist wanted to buy the IMOCA last sailed by his compatriot and coach Nándor Fa, but finally set his heart on this solid Owen-Clarke design. The races of the 2022 season are rewarding for the Hungarian sailor, who is discovering all the facets of his new machine. After two retirements in the first two races, Szabi finished 26th in the Route du Rhum. The 60-footer, relaunched in spring in Les Sables d'Olonne after a major winter refit, has been entered in all the 2023 races.

2018 : Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe - 11th
2010-2011 : Barcelona World Race - 6th
2009 : Transat Jacques Vabre - 8th
2008-2009 : Vendée Globe - 6th