Tuesday 9 January. 1305hrs

In the last few minutes Dee Cafffari has been announced as the Raymarine/YJA Yachstman of the Year 2006.

Dee set a new world record in 2006 as the first woman to sail single handed, non stop around the world against prevailing winds and currents.

Collecting the award from Lady Pippa Blake, Dee said: ‘It’s very special to receive this award. Sir Peter Blake was a great inspiration to me.’

The announcement was made at a Yachting Journalist Association luncheon held at the Painted Hall in Greenwich.

Dee’s record:

Around the World Westabout. Singlehanded non-stop, Women.
Yacht: “Aviva” 72 ft Monohull.
Name: Dee Caffari GBR
Dates: 21st November 2005 to 18th May 2006.
Start time: 13:49:29 GMT
Finish time: 16:55:03 GMT
Elapsed time: 178 days 3 hours 5 minutes 34 seconds.

In 1997 Sir Peter Blake won the same award with Sir Robin Knox-Johnston for their record-breaking circumnavigation in the giant catamaran Enza.