Dee Caffari becomes first woman to sail round the world solo in both directions

Edinburgh, Feb 17 (ANI): Dee Caffari, a British sailor, has become the first woman in history to sail round the world solo in both directions.

According to a report in the Scotsman, after spending 99 days at sea, Dee Caffari crossed the finishing line of the Vendee Globe yacht race in sixth place on February 16.

She subsequently entered the record books as the first female to sail round the world solo in both directions.

"My goal was to set the double world first and I have done it. It's quite a numb feeling now but here I am - the first woman to sail solo, non-stop both ways around the world. You can't buy a feeling like this," said Dee Caffari.

"I'm lost for words, but I'm sure when the adrenalin wears off, I'll start feeling tired. They say it's a hard race and when it is hard it is very hard. When I get on dry land, I think the first port of call will be a long hot shower and then it will be time to party," she added.

Caffari, who in 2006 became the first woman to circumnavigate the globe the "wrong" way - against the tides and currents, said there was "disaster and drama at every turn" during the Vendee race, which is known as the Everest of the Seas.

Caffari's main problem was the state of her sails, and she was reduced to trying to mend them using skin staples taken from her medical kit after her boat was caught in Force 12 hurricane winds.

"The mainsail constantly caused me concern. You just have to look at it to see what a dreadful state it's in, but I managed to struggle on. I never let it get the better of me. I had an opportunity here to make history so a disintegrating mainsail wasn't going to get in my way," she said.

During the journey, the yachtswoman survived on freeze-dried meals mixed with hot water from a kettle, supplemented by food replacement gel, energy drinks and the occasional piece of fudge.

Sleep on board is taken for only 45 minutes at a time, with only about three to four hours sleep every 24 hours while the only way to get a wash was to use babywipes.

According to Sarah Loughran, Head of Corporate sponsorship at Aviva, Caffari's backers, "Dee's performance has been inspirational. She set her sights on the double world first and we've backed her all the way."

"This race has been a testament to her determination, resolve and tenacity," she said. (ANI)