Tuesday 8 March 2011

BWR: Female Solidarity for Caffari and Corbella on International Women's Day


Dee Caffari and Anna Corbella on board GAES Centros Auditivos. Image copyright Chris Cameron/DPPI/Barcelona World Race.

by Coralie Rassinoux

With International Women’s Day being celebrated across the globe today, the all female duo aboard GAES Centros Auditivos are supporting each other through the final stages of their Southern Ocean passage. The GAES girls anticipate passing Cape Horn towards the end of the week and the subsequent turning point into the south Atlantic cannot come soon enough for them.

Speaking on Sunday Caffari said:

“At this point in the Pacific I have the feeling now that it is about just getting out of here. The enjoyment level has disappeared somewhat. As I said to Anna it is the last push, it is the last few thousand miles. She said she felt like she had hit the wall, like you hit in the marathon and I said it is typical of being down here. In a week’s time it all starts to be more positive for you.”

Today marks the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day, a global celebration of women’s achievements and an on-going campaign for equal rights for women around the world. Caffari, who is an inspiration to many women, added:

“As the only all-female team in the Barcelona World Race, Anna and I set out to show that women can compete as equals with men in offshore sailing. There are women all over the world achieving amazing things every minute of every day and International Women's Day is about celebrating all their accomplishments and encouraging all women to dare, dream, discover. You can do more than you think you can!”

Caffari and Corbella are still chasing closest race rivals Andy Meiklejohn & Wouter Verbraak on Hugo Boss and at the 0500hrs ranking were 193 miles behind. The leader board continues to be dominated by Virbac-Paprec 3 followed by Mapfre in second and Renault Z E in third.

Aviva has been a longstanding supporter of Dee Caffari and her inspirational record breaking sailing achievements, assisting her to three world records including becoming the first woman to sail solo, non stop, around the world in both directions. As Founding Partner of Caffari’s sailing campaign, Aviva is pleased to extend this support to Corbella and GAES for the Barcelona World Race.

GAES Centros Auditivos
Barcelona World Race