Caffari 24 hours from finish line

by Aviva/Caroline Ayling on 17 May 2006 Dee Caffari, 33, is now approximately 24 hours from the finish line* of the Aviva Challenge after 177 days at sea. She has sailed 28, 912 miles in her bid to become the first woman to sail solo, and non-stop round the world against the prevailing winds and currents and is only 188 miles from claiming her place in maritime history*.

Dee Caffari onboard Aviva is expected to cross the official finish line between 08:00 and 14:00 (BST) on 18 May 2006.

Caffari is pushing hard for the finish line and will complete the circumnavigation towards the northern end of the line off The Lizard, UK. She will cross within sight of the World Sailing Speed Record Council (WSSRC)** observer so that her new world record can be officially ratified. Then Caffari will make her way to Ocean Village in Southampton, UK, and is expected to take her first steps on dry land in the company of hundreds of supporters on Sunday 21 May 2006.

Hours away from becoming the first woman to join a small, elite group of men who have achieved this extraordinary feat, Caffari commented:

'It’s impossible to explain what I’m feeling at the moment, it’s all slightly unreal and the marathon behind me now seems almost like a blur. I think I’m running on pure adrenalin, as my body seems to be aware that its job is almost done! But for now the tiredness is eclipsed by nervous excitement, not only about crossing the finish line, but also seeing my family after such a long time alone at sea.

'Even though the finish line is so close, I’m concentrating on the sailing and enjoying my last few hours with Aviva at sea. The circumnavigation is not complete and nothing is guaranteed until I actually cross the finish line so I can’t truly celebrate until I arrive at the moment I have been thinking about for so long.'

Once she has crossed the official finish line Caffari will make her way to Ocean Village in Southampton, UK where HRH The Princess Royal will welcome her back to dry land at the end of her marathon journey. HRH The Princess Royal, Patron of The Challenge Business International Limited, was the first person to welcome home Dee’s mentor, Sir Chay Blyth, when he became the first person to complete this voyage back in 1971. Thousands of people are expected to celebrate her homecoming, currently expected to be 12.00 noon (BST) Sunday 21 May 2006.

* The total distance of the Aviva Challenge will be 29,100 miles. Rule 26(a) of the WSSRC rules 2005-2008 states that to sail round the world, a vessel must start from, and return to, the same point. As Dee began the voyage at The Lizard, UK, she will return to the same point to officially complete her circumnavigation.

** The World Sailing Speed Record council (WSSRC) is the official body authorised by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) to provide impartial ratification of claims to timed records. An observer will be present to witness Caffari crossing the finish line so the circumnavigation and world record can be ratified.