Whilst most are winding down for the festive period, record breaking British yachtswoman Dee Caffari and her Spanish co-skipper Anna Corbella have begun the final countdown to the start of the Barcelona World Race. The only female duo taking part in the race will be making the most of the remaining time they have with friends and family before they line up against a fleet of 14 other IMOCA 60’s on New Year’s Eve.
Speaking ahead of the race Caffari said:
“Anna and I have been preparing for the Barcelona World Race since March and have trained really hard to ensure we are a cohesive team out there on the water. The race village was really buzzing when I left Spain yesterday and after a whistle stop Christmas at home, I will be back out there and ready for our big race.”
This will be the second edition of the Barcelona World Race – the only double-handed race around the globe which starts and finishes in Barcelona and sails around the three capes: Good Hope, Leeuwin and Horn. The length of the course is approximately 25,000 nautical miles (46,300 km) along the Great Circle line, the shortest route traced on a map across the world and although it is a non-stop regatta, some outside assistance is permitted subject to rules and penalties.
Caffari added:
“This will be my fourth lap of the planet and I am hoping that my experience in the Southern Ocean will give us the edge over some of our competitors. This time around I am really looking forward to having some company down there outside of my race rivals!”
The Barcelona World Race starts at 12:00 (GMT) on Friday 31st December and of the 15 IMOCA 60 boats in the fleet just two British skippers will be taking part in this year’s edition, Dee Caffari on GAES Centros Auditivos and Alex Thomson on Hugo Boss. The race is expected to last around three months and the time to beat has been set by the winner of the first edition, Paprec-Virbac 2 skippered by Jean-Pierre Dick and Damian Foxall, who covered the course in 92 days, 9 hours, 49 minutes and 49 seconds.
Aviva has been a longstanding supporter of Dee Caffari and her inspirational record breaking sailing achievements, assisting her to three world records including becoming the first woman to sail solo, non stop, around the world in both directions. As Founding Partner of Caffari’s sailing campaign, Aviva is pleased to extend this support to Corbella and GAES for the Barcelona World Race