Dee sails into record books

12 April 2012

British sailor Dee Caffari completed a remarkable world first when she became the first woman to sail solo and non-stop both ways around the world.

The 36-year-old from Titchfield in Hampshire finished the Vendee Globe yacht race to enter the record books and promptly telephoned her shore team to order a ham and mushroom pizza and Diet Coke to be delivered on board.

Speaking moments after the finish, the former PE teacher said: "This is just incredible. The support and recognition has been unbelievable. I'm quite exhausted, but I think I'll be buzzing for the next few days.

"My goal was to set the double world first and I have done it. It's quite a numb feeling now but here I am - the first woman to sail solo, non-stop both ways around the world. You can't buy a feeling like this.

"I can't wait to get back on dry land, I've got a pizza and Diet Coke on order already and then I can't wait for a hot shower or bubble bath. I don't think that I'll stop talking for the next few days it's just brilliant to see everyone."

The sailor crossed the line off Les Sables d'Olonne, France, at 13.13 GMT on Monday to take sixth place in the Vendee. She has now circumnavigated the globe with and against the prevailing currents and winds - something that only four men have achieved in the past.

In the Vendee, Caffari travelled more than 27,000 miles in 99 days on the "easier" circumnavigation - with the wind and tides - on board her 60ft boat Aviva.

In 2005/06 she was the first woman to sail against them east to west - taking 178 days and clocking up more than 29,000 miles.

Caffari, who is originally from Watford, Hertfordshire, suffered a damaged mainsail and light winds in the closing stages of the Vendee - frustrating attempts to finish and claim the record.

During the race she sailed through the iceberg-strewn Southern Ocean and rounded the infamous Cape Horn, while sleeping in snatches of 20 minutes and living on a diet of freeze-dried food.

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