Sailor in the Spotlight - Dee Caffari

YachtPals is very privileged to have some of the world's greatest sailors among our readers and members. So many so, that recently we've been mulling over the idea of creating a “Sailor in the Spotlight” here at YachtPals. Not as an award for accomplishment, but just as a way to focus on some exceptional people in the sailing community. Individuals we admire and find interesting, and know you will too.

Dee Caffari, an accomplished ocean racer and skipper, is preparing for the single-hand Artemis race next month. Of course, for Dee, that's really just a lead up to the solo Vendee Globe, which is going to earn her a record as the first woman to solo both ways around. It's the type of accomplishments and drive you'd expect from a lifetime ocean racer. Thing is, Dee's only been at this for a few years!

One day in 2000, this P.E. teacher turned college administrator decided she wanted to sail. Now she's a world-class racing skipper. That's impressive, and that kind of drive is why we've chosen Dee Caffari as our first YachtPals Sailor in the Spotlight.

 

We found Dee out in the Atlantic, where she is currently solo-training, and we contacted her via packet radio:

YP: Some say that winning raceboats are built so light and run so hard as to be just on the verge of collapse. You had a dismasting in December. Inasmuch as you can, how do you manage safety vs. speed in an ocean race like the Artemis Transat?

DEE: Well, I think that is going to be the secret of success with these new generation Open 60’s – knowing when to push hard and when to ease off for the sake of safety and ultimately to make sure you finish the race. It is hard for all competitors to maintain that balance but especially so for me as a newcomer to this class and style of racing.

 

 

YP: It's been said that male skippers try to synchronize their crew, and female skippers try to harmonize theirs, resulting in subtle differences. When racing with a crew, do you find any general differences between the methods of male and female skippers? How about crew?

DEE: I think we are all out there to deliver the same results. Our human nature will always mean that every skipper delivers his or her style differently. The aim remains the same even if the methods to get there vary with the individual. At this level everyone knows what is expected and gets on with the job they have. During the Aviva Ocean Racing campaign I have been concentrating on solo sailing, however, on the crewed opportunities there have been, such as the Calais Round Britain and the Transat Jacques Vabre races, I was fortunate to have experienced crew onboard that I could learn from.

 

YP: What do you want to accomplish in your sailing career - do you only focus on the next race, being the first woman to solo around both ways, or are there other long-term goals?

DEE: I always try and focus on the goal immediately ahead of me – whatever that happens to be. Of course, this year it is the Vendee Globe but first I need to get the Artemis Transat completed in order to even qualify for the Vendee. I do think about the future and what lies beyond 2009, so my sailing career will certainly extend beyond the finish line of the Vendee Globe 2008/9

 

 

YP: What drives you to race - what mix of a love of sailing, competitiveness, ambition, etc.?

DEE: For me it is a combination of a love of sailing and spending time out on the water in the raw elements of nature but this is certainly coupled with a competitive streak. The Aviva Ocean Racing campaign has been all about learning my trade if you like, becoming an Open 60 sailor and being confident in getting Aviva around the world in one piece first and foremost. Ultimately I want to be truly competitive but that comes with experience and practice and I am under no illusions that I will be lining up against some of the best sailors in the world.

 

YP: When sailing just for fun, what's your favorite boat?

DEE: I am not sure if I can sail only for fun! Racing dinghies are great because of the exhilaration you can feel and I suppose if I really had my arm twisted some cruising around islands and dropping anchor for a dip could sound attractive.

 

YP: Where is your favorite place to sail?

DEE: I do enjoy sailing in the warmer climates, so the Caribbean is a great location. However, you don’t have to go that far a field as we also have some great sailing much closer to home. The Channel Islands have stunning scenery and the coastline hides a treasure of bays, beaches and harbours to explore.

 

YP: Where in the world would you still like to sail?

DEE: The world is a big place and even though I have sailed around it a couple of times now, there is still plenty more to discover. I have heard that Thailand is a great destination for sailing and closer to home; the Mediterranean has some great places to discover.

 

YP: What advice would you give the young girls (and boys) who will one day follow in your footsteps?

DEE: Stay focused on your goal and have the self-belief to overcome obstacles – there are bound to be many along the way. My motto has always been –Dare, Dream, Discover.

 

Our thanks to Dee for taking the time (while single-handing in heavy weather!) to answer our questions. You'll be able to follow Dee and the other contenders in the Artemis Transat (Trans-Atlantic) race right here at YachtPals. We wish all of the contenders good luck, but nobody's saying we don't have our favorites!

 

 

- Brad and Kim Hampton

• Photos of Dee Caffari by Gareth Cooke
• Video 1: Dee Caffari launches the new Aviva in Wellington, New Zealand.
• Video 2: Dee Caffari putting the new Aviva through her paces in Portugal.

 

Submitted By YachtPals on 20 Apr

Dee Caffari, famous sailors, sailors, sailor, female sailors, women sailors, world famous sailors, sailing, Dee, Caffari, sailboat, UK

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