Endurance rower Maud de Fontenay will attempt to beat Dee Caffari’s record time to become the fastest woman to sail solo around the world against prevailing winds and currents. The Frenchwoman is no stranger to single handed voyaging, having rowed solo across both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.

Speaking to a group of schoolchildren, De Fontenay spoke of her inspiration to complete the challenge: ‘You must have a dream at the bottom of your heart and believe, absolutely, in that dream.’

Weather allowing, she will begin her record attempt on the 14, or 15 October.