The Aviva Challenge - Team
"All they need is an explicit belief that they can fight and win, that they can overcome opposing cleverness with unshakeable determination, tireless work and the desire to back each other, to cover each other's mistakes and ultimately to triumph through sheer sense of communal purpose."
'Born to Win' by John Bertrand
| Ambassador | Sir Chay Blyth |
| Project Director | Andrew Roberts |
| Yacht Modifications | Challenge Business Technical Team |
| Victualling & Mentorship | Allie Smith |
| Personal Coach | Harry Spedding |
| Personal Coaching | Paul Bennett |
| PR/Operations | Jo Uffendell |
| Website | Alex Little |
| Weather Router | Mike Broughton |
| Away Accommodation | Harriet Gledhill |
Sir Chay Blyth
1966 Whilst in the Army, Chay Blyth together with Captain John Ridgeway rowed across the North Atlantic in a 20ft Open Dory. After successfully completing this in 92 days Chay was awarded the British Empire Medal.
In 1971 Chay was the first person to sail non-stop westwards around the world and as a result was awarded the CBE.
Since then he has accumulated a staggering list of racing successes including:
1973/74 In the yacht Great Britain II, with a crew of paratroopers, took line honours in the Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race.
In 1989 Chay founded Challenge Business to organise the British Steel Challenge. This event allowed ordinary people to sail around the world in a professionally.
In 1997, Sir Chay was Knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to sailing. Sir Chay received an Honorary Doctorate of Law from the University of Portsmouth.
Andrew Roberts - Technical Project Director
Began Challenge Business with Sir Chay Blyth back in 1989. With arguably the greatest knowledge on west about circumnavigations, Andrew has been invaluable to this project. Co-ordinating not only the changes to the yacht but also suppliers, shore team and all the varied aspects that a project such as this brings.
Technical Team
- Matthew Ratsey - Challenge Business Technical Director
- Alistair Hackett - Challenge Business Technical Director
- Keith Baxter
- Neil Gledhill
- Peter Pearce
- Paul Tanner
- Steve, Fletch, Peter
- Mike Broughton - Weather Router
- Harriet Gledhill - West Country Accommodation
- Dr Spike Briggs - Medical Support
Dee's Team
- Harry Spedding - Mentor - harry@deecaffari.com
- Paul Bennett - Personal Coaching - paul@deecaffari.com
- Jo Uffendell - PR/Operations - jo@deecaffari.com
- Allie Smith - Victualling and Mentorship - www.sailinglogic.co.uk
- Alex Little - Website design and development - www.innovative-design.co.uk
