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British woman sails into history
Amar Singh16 Feb 2009
British sailor Dee Caffari today became the first woman to sail solo and non-stop both ways around the world.
After precisely 99 days, one hour, 10 minutes and 57 seconds Caffari, 36, from Titchfield in Hampshire finished the 27,000-mile Vendée Globe yacht race and promptly telephoned her shore team to order a ham and mushroom pizza and Diet Coke on board.
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. 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 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."
Caffari crossed the line off Les Sables d'Olonne, France, on board her 60ft boat Aviva just after 1pm today to take sixth place in the Vendée earning her prize money of €20,000 (£17,940). The race was won by Frenchman Michel Desjoyeaux in a record 84 days.
Only four men have sailed solo round the globe both with and against the prevailing currents and winds.
In the Vendée, Caffari was sailing with the elements - the "easy" route - but in 2005-06 she was the first woman to sail against them, taking 178 days.
Caffari, originally from Watford, managed to sleep in 20-minute snatches and lived on freeze-dried food during the 99 days of the Vendée, which is often referred to as the Everest of the Seas.
However, just before the finish, she suffered damage to her mainsail and in an effort to keep it together even resorted to using the skin staples from her medical kit.
Caffari said: "The mainsail constantly caused me concern. You just have to look at it to see what a dreadful state it's in, but I managed to struggle on.
"I never let it get the better of me. I had an opportunity here to make history so a disintegrating mainsail wasn't going to get in my way.
"It's been frustrating and tiring but Aviva and I are here now and I'm on cloud nine."
Reader views (4)
Someone tell her she`s holding the flag back-to-front!!
- M. John Namrah, San Diego, USA, 16/02/2009 19:17
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and she didn't side swipe a submarine on the whole trip, marvelous isn't it?
so much for the reputation of women drivers.
- Mike O'Brien, london.uk, 16/02/2009 17:22
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THE BEST MAN FOR THE job IS A WOMAN.
- Phil, usa, 16/02/2009 17:22
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I'm confused i thought Samantha Davies finished in sixth place??
- Nicolas, Bordeaux, 16/02/2009 17:02
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