Caffari and co beat British Isles record

Monday 22 June 2009 16:32 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The all-woman crew of Dee Caffari, Samantha Davies, Miranda Merron and Alex Sizer yesterday knocked over 17 hours off the record for sailing non-stop round the British Isles, setting a new time of six days 11hrs 30min 53sec in the Caffari’s Open 60, Aviva.

The boat had been entered in the Calais Round Britain race, which was cancelled, inspiring the quartet to initiate the record attempt. Caffari and Davies had been rivals in last winter’s Vendee Globe non-stop round the world race. Merron, the navigator, had partnered Emma Richards in transatlantic races and Sizer is the boat captain.

They chose to take the anti-clockwise route, starting off Ventnor on the south of the Isle of Wight, and overcame some short spells of light air before benefitting from favourable westerlies all through the second half.

Said Davies: “We pushed ourselves and boat hard, but it was definitely worth it. I think I am almost as exhausted as I was after the Vendee Globe.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in