About
Who is Dee Caffari?
Dee Caffari has circumnavigated the globe six times. She is the first woman to have sailed single-handed and non-stop around the world in both directions and the only woman to have sailed non-stop around the world a total of three times.
In 2006 Dee became the first woman to sail solo, non-stop, around the world against the prevailing winds and currents and was awarded an MBE in recognition of her achievement.
At the start of 2023, Dee joined The Famous Project. The team have set their sights on the Jules Verne Trophy and, if successful, will secure the first world record for the fastest circumnavigation of the planet with an all-female crew. As one of the toughest ocean challenges in the world, they will pit themselves against both the clock and the elements in their attempt to win one of the most prestigious sporting trophies.
Outside of sailing, Dee continues to showcase her talents as a host, presenter and as an international motivational speaker. Dee also spends time supporting various charities and is Chair of the RYA British Keelboat Academy. The BKA programme provides support and training for competitive dinghy sailors between 18-24 as they transition into the world of keelboat and yacht racing.
Dee's records & feats
Dee set a world record by becoming the first woman to complete a circumnavigation of the globe against the prevailing winds and currents in 2006.
Dee competed in the 2008/9 Vendée Globe – a race around the world, non-stop and alone. She crossed the finish line in 6th place out of 30 starters.
Dee crossed the finish line of the Barcelona World Race in April 2011 and on completion of this race entered the record books once again as the only woman to have circumnavigated the globe, non-stop, three times.
Dee joined Team SCA and set a new speed record for a female crew, circumnavigating Britain and Ireland in 2014 after they completed the race in 4 days 21 hours and 39 seconds, beating her previous record.
In 2017/18, Dee skippered the first mixed gender youth team to compete in the Volvo Ocean Race. Racing under the United Nations Environment initiative Clean Seas Turn the Tide on Plastic.
This is Dee's story...
Dee Caffari was awarded an MBE in recognition of her solo circumnavigation against the prevailing winds and currents, setting a world record in the process by becoming the first woman to complete this epic voyage in 2006.
In 2009 Dee completed the Vendée Globe – a solo, non-stop race around the world, making her the only woman to have sailed single-handed, non-stop around the world in both directions.
In April 2011, Dee successfully completed another circumnavigation. With completion of the Barcelona World Race Dee became the only woman to have sailed three times around the world non-stop.
Dee joined Team SCA in 2014, the all-female entry into the Volvo Ocean Race. During training, the team successfully claimed the Round Britain and Ireland speed record for a female crewed monohull in 4 days 21 hours and 39 seconds.
Dee returned to the Volvo Ocean Race 2017/18 where she skippered Team Turn the Tide on Plastic. The campaign raised awareness of plastic pollution in our oceans and inspired people to take action in their day to day lives. Dee continues to highlight the vital importance of reducing our dependence on plastics and improve ocean health.
After a career change, from being a secondary school teacher of Physical Education for five years, Dee secured her place as the only female skipper in the fleet to race in the Global Challenge race in 2004. A natural team leader, the crewed round the world race dealt with man management, conflict management and also the extreme highs and lows encountered with success and failure on a race lasting ten months. It was just four months later that Dee set off again to attempt her pioneering voyage – the Aviva Challenge, solo, non-stop around the world against the prevailing winds and currents.
Dee is now co-skipper, with Alexia Barrier, on The Famous Project. Their aim is to attempt a round the world speed record on their Ultime, IDEC Sport, and secure the Jules Verne Trophy.
Outside of sailing Dee is actively involved in a number of charities and philanthropic endeavours. In 2024 Dee was invited to Chair the RYA British Keelboat Academy (BKA). The BKA programme provides support and training for competitive dinghy sailors between 18-24 as they transition into the world of keelboat and yacht racing.
Dee has been a presenter and producer for a number of media channels, helping to support and promote female athletes, sport and the environment.
Dee’s timeline of major events
2000
March 1, 2000
Secondary School PE Teacher
Dee started out as a secondary school physical education teacher and made the decision to pursue a sailing career in 2000.
October 3, 2004
Global Challenge
Dee had secured her place as the only female skipper in the fleet to race in the 10-month Global Challenge race, which departed on 3 October 2004. Held every four years, this race took a fleet of one-design (or matching) steel yachts, crewed by amateur sailors who have paid to take part, the Westabout route round Cape Horn and through the Southern Ocean where winds can exceed 70 knots. Dee was the skipper of the yacht.
2005
November 20, 2005
Aviva Challenge
On 20th November 2005, Dee set off on her pioneering voyage, the Aviva Challenge, where she attempted to single-handedly circumnavigate the world against the prevailing winds and currents.
May 18, 2006
Aviva Challenge Finish
Dee completed her circumnavigation of the world against the prevailing winds and currents on 18 May 2006, at 17:55pm, after 178 days at sea. She set a world record by becoming the first woman to complete this epic voyage.
November 1, 2006
Mark Webber Pure Tasmania Challenge
Dee led an all female team in the Mark Webber Pure Tasmania Challenge. They covered over 6500km of rugged terrain using four disciplines to raise money for cancer charities.
March 20, 2007
Partnership with Mike Golding
Dee announces a technical partnership with Mike Golding to allow both the British entries in the Vendee Globe to work together.
April 7, 2007
London Marathon
Dee completes the Flora London Marathon.
June 17, 2007
Awarded an MBE
Dee was named on Her Majesty’s Birthday Honours list and was awarded an MBE for her solo round the world record achievement.
September 24, 2007
‘Against the Flow’ book published
Dee’s book ‘Against the Flow’ was published.
February 11, 2009
2008/9 Vendee Globe Finish
Dee completes the Vendee Globe and crosses the finish line in 6th place out of the 30 original competitors.
June 23, 2009
Speed Record – Round Britain and Ireland
Dee added to her achievements by setting a new speed record for circumnavigating Britain and Ireland after crossing the Solent finish line on her Open 60 Aviva. She completed the race in 6 days 11 hours 30 minutes and 53 seconds, having lopped a massive 17 hours off the existing time.
November 8, 2009
2009 Transat Jacques Vabre
Dee and co-skipper, Brian Thompson, secured 8th place in the Transat Jacques Vabre (TJV) race. At the end of her first full IMOCA season, Dee was placed 6th out of the 33 skippers in the IMOCA World Championship rankings.
2010
December 31, 2010
2010/11 Barcelona World Race
Dee Caffari and her co skipper, Anna Corbella finished 6th place in the Barcelona World Race.
July 2, 2012
2012-2016 Oman Sail Womens Programme
Dee led this pioneering initiative to empower Omani women and create equal opportunities in the sport of sailing.
January 31, 2013
Dee Caffari Honorary Commander
As Honorary Commander RNR Dee visits FOST.
April 1, 2013
H20 Radio Show Presenter
Presenting the H20 show for the second year.
June 1, 2013
Round The Island Race 2013
Toe in the Water Ambassador.
August 11, 2013
2013 Rolex Fastnet Race Win
Joining the crew on Oman Air Mod 70 Dee sails to victory in the Fastnet Race winning the MOCRA Class after a busy Cowes Week.
September 21, 2013
Duke of Edinburgh Gold Awards
Awarding the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Awards at St James Palace.
January 1, 2014
Becomes Team SCA Member
Dee is selected to be part of Team SCA the only all-female team entry into the Volvo Ocean Race.
2015
January 1, 2016
Coaching
Dee took on the role of performance coach to nurture offshore British sailing talent to help reach their goal of competing in the Vendee Globe 2020.
March 7, 2016
Sport Relief 2016
Dee is part of the ‘Hell on the High Seas’ challenge which raised over £1 million for Sport Relief.
October 22, 2017
Turn the Tide on Plastic
Dee skippers the first ever mixed gender youth team to compete in the Volvo Ocean Race.
August 6, 2018
The Maiden Factor
Dee skippers newly restored yacht Maiden on her voyage to London and receives a royal welcome from Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Princess Haya Bint al Hussein.
December 17, 2018
Sydney Hobart Race
Dee joins the Ocean Respect Racing team in the Rolex Sydney to Hobart Race, crossing the line in sixth place and finishing second overall on IRC.
July 22, 2019
Transpac Race
Dee joins the crew of Santa Cruz 50 ‘Oaxaca’, to claim a division win in the Transpac Race from Los Angeles to Hawaii.
August 30, 2019
SYZ Translemanique en Solitaire
Dee makes a return to solo sailing in this race around Lake Geneva and claims first place on a Grand Surprise.
September 9, 2019
Ocean Obs Conference
Held once every ten years, Dee is invited to deliver a keynote speech at the OceanObs’19 conference in Hawaii.
October 14, 2019
World Sailing Conference
As chair of the World Sailing Trust, Dee presents on the recent strategic review into Women in Sailing and reveals its findings and contributes to the discussion on sustainability in the sport of sailing.
2020
January 10, 2020
Sustainability for the RNLI
Dee is invited to lead the special interest group for sustainability for the RNLI.
September 14, 2020
Double Handed National Champion
Dee becomes the UK Double Handed National Champion and goes on to represent Team GB at the European Offshore Championships.
November 8, 2020
2020 Vendee Globe Commentary
Dee provides live commentary for the start of the 2020 Vendee Globe.
October 23, 2021
TED Talk
Dee is invited to give a TED Talk entitled ‘The Power of What Is Not Said’.
November 6, 2021
Double Handed National Champion
Dee retains her title as the UK Double Handed National Champion for the second year running with James Harayda onboard Gentoo, Sunfast 3300.
February 7, 2022
Dee is announced as UKSA’s Youth and Mental Health Ambassador
I hope that by supporting the UKSA in this role as Youth and Mental Health Ambassador, I will be able to facilitate confidence in our young people to ensure our future generations can thrive. Being out in the elements facing the forces of mother nature, you soon realise that everyone is equal. She doesn’t care about your gender, race, religion or socio economic background. Agile thinking, adaptability, teamwork and collaboration are all required and these are all skills that are transferable into everyday life.
June 17, 2022
From Coast to Canal
From Coast to Canal is a fly-on-the-wall documentary following Dee’s maiden narrowboat voyage on the Grand Union Canal in Leicestershire. It shows her leaving behind the tides and currents of the open sea and being introduced to staircase locks, winding holes and tunnels on the tranquil inland waterways of the UK.
August 6, 2022
Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race
Shirley Robertson OBE joins Dee to take on this marathon 1800 nautical mile race onboard the Sun Fast 3300, RockIt. Only nine double handed boats have ever completed this race non-stop. A huge challenge for this new offshore team.
August 12, 2023
Fastnet Rolex Race Win
Racing onboard Team Jajo for the 50th anniversary of this iconic race. Won class and finished second overall.
October 14, 2023
Rolex Middle Sea Race Win
Line honours win for The Famous Project. MOCRA class win and first foreign boat home.
May 4, 2024
The Famous Project Launch
Launch of the Ultime, IDEC Sport, ahead of a Jules Verne Trophy record attempt.
June 22, 2024
Newport Bermuda Race Win
Swan 58, Wavewalker, takes class win.
September 30, 2024
World Sailing Trust
Tenure as Chair comes to an end after six years.
November 1, 2024
British Keelboat Academy
Appointed Chair to develop the academy goal of supporting young sailors to explore offshore sailing.
December 16, 2024
Vendee Globe Live
Presenting the daily live show following the highs and lows of the Vendee Globe 2024 race.
