Yachtswomen Dee Caffari is hoping to sail solo, non-stop around the world against the prevailing winds and currents.  If she succeeds, Caffari will become the first woman to achieve this feat, setting a new world record.

Caffari, 32, is scheduled to set sail in Aviva from Portsmouth on 20 November.  She will take the same route as her mentor Sir Chay Blyth who, 34 years ago, was the first man to sail around the world “east to west”.  Sir Chay will lead the team behind Caffari’s record attempt.

Former school-teacher Caffari will be sailing the 72-foot yacht which she skippered, with a crew of 18, in last year’s Global Challenge race.  The yacht has been modified to enable her to sail it single-handedly and her circumnavigation is expected to last between 120 and 170 days, of which approximately 80 days will be spent in the treacherous Southern Ocean.