UNITED KINGDOM: YACHTING - At the London Boat Show Dee Caffari announces she is to attempt another world first by becoming the first woman ever to sail alone around the world in both directions

Solo ocean racing skipper Dee Caffari announced her plans to be the first woman to sail alone around the world in both directions today at the London International Boat Show on Thursday (January 11). In May 2006 Caffari secured her place in sailing history when she become the first women to sail solo, non-stop (178 days) around the world against the prevailing winds and currents. She will compete in the Vendée Globe single-handed, non-stop round the world race in November 2008 in a state of the art carbon fibre 60-foot race yacht that has the potential to complete the course in under 90 days. Vendée Globe race, contested by ocean racing's elite, is regarded as one of the world's most gruelling sailing races. "It is hard to imagine that in two years from now I'll actually, fingers crossed, be sailling with the best of the best in the thoughest race there is around the globe and sailling with those people that I have inspired and followed in the seven years I have been sailing," said the world record-breaking yachtswoman. The Vendée Globe race will see Caffari sailing with the prevailing winds and currents with the potential of achieving speeds of over 30 knots 'surfing' in Southern Ocean waves for days on end. Her record-breaking voyage around the world saw Caffari sailing against the winds and waves in a slower, heavier yacht. "Well I went against the prevailing winds and current in the Aviva challenge in my 46 tons steal Aviva and it took me 178 days to get around the world on my own. The Vendee Globe I am looking at being on a carbon eight and a half ton racing machine and looking at close to a 100 days at sea if all goes well, my fingers are crossed for that. And I am going the right way around the world, the winds and the currents will be helping me about going fast, keeping my foot on the floor relatively and making sure I'll keep the boat in one piece. It is about finishing, to be successful, so that is what I got to get my head around now for the next step," said 32-year old Caffari. Meanwhile BMW Oracle Racing paid a unique visit to the London Boat Show. It was the first time America's Cup yacht has exhibited at London Boat Show. Visitors are able to view the full-scale BMW ORACLE Racing yacht, USA-61 in close detail. BMW ORACLE Racing is the Challenger of Record and one of the leading Challengers to win the America Cup back from Swiss defender, team Alinghi. "I like boating and I like sailing and I was expecting to be a real quiet experience, but it wasn't. There was a lot going on on the board. A lot noise from the rigging and I got a real feeling that this is an amazing engineering piece of equipment. And it was very much like motor racing where you are pushing everything to the absolute limit and it was intriguing," said Andy Priaulx, World Touring Car Champion 2005/06 with BMW, who had a chance to sail on the BMW Oracle. BMW exhibition stand is dedicated to celebrate the team's 2007-generation America's Cup Class yachts, regarded as one of the most technologically advanced classes of racing yachts in the world. "There is a big technology transfer this time, particularly from BMW, one of our top sponsors, in the structure side of it. Every gram every ounce that can be taken out of the sails and out of the hull and put down to the big bulb, lead bulb at the bottom of the kiel gives the boat more stability hence more horse power, " said Tom Ehman, Head of External Affairs for BMW ORACLE Racing. USA 98, BMW ORACLE Racing's second race yacht arrived to team's temporary training base in Auckland on Monday (January 8).

ITN Source | January 12, 2007

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