“Mother Nature doesn’t care what gender you are”: Record-breaking sailor Dee Caffari MBE
Dee Caffari made history in 2006 as the first woman to sail solo, non-stop, around the world the ‘wrong way’. Tackling the westward route against the prevailing winds and currents, this monumental feat earned her an MBE and a place in sailing legend.
Three years later, she competed in the prestigious Vendée Globe, often called the ‘Everest of the Seas’. There, she set another record, becoming the first woman to sail single-handed and non-stop around the world in both directions.
As if that wasn’t impressive enough, she also remains the only woman to complete three non-stop circumnavigations of the world.
“I thrive in that environment. I enjoy being outside my comfort zone, challenging myself and overcoming it,” Caffari told the Sports Gazette.
Now, she has her sights on yet another record – the legendary Jules Verne Trophy. Considered one of the world’s toughest ocean challenges, no woman has ever been part of a crew to conquer it. Next year, however, Caffari will co-skipper an all-female crew aiming to break the record for the fastest circumnavigation of the globe.
“We have a fantastic team who are all so committed to achieving our goal,” she revealed.
“It’s going to be a massive project. To break the record, we need to leave the northwest corner of France and be round the Cape of Good Hope in 11 days. It’s mind-blowing that that is the kind of trajectory that we’re aiming for.”
Sailor Alexia Barrier launched The Famous Project, bringing together female sailors from around the world to challenge Franis Joyon’s time. Set in 2017, the current record stands at 40 days, 23 hours, 30 minutes and 30 seconds.
“Climate change has certainly made weather patterns much more erratic and unpredictable, which will add to the challenge ahead,” Caffari added.
“The upside to that is we now expect the unexpected and plan for all eventualities, which makes us more prepared and ready for whatever nature sends our way.”
Setting sail: how it all began
Just six years before her record-breaking voyage in 2006, Caffari was working as a PE teacher. Though her love for the water stemmed from holidays on her father’s motorboat, she didn’t learn to sail until university.
“My dad always talked about sailing, but I didn’t really know what it involved or what it was like.
“I didn’t grow up in dinghies and go through the usual stages. I just decided for a career change and then went for it.”
After deciding to pursue a career in sailing, Caffari secured a place as a skipper for the Global Challenge. Founded by Sir Chay Blyth, this round-the-world race allowed relative novices to experience sailing the ‘wrong way’, as part of a team.
“Sir Chay suggested I follow in his footsteps and undertake the voyage solo and non-stop to become the first female to achieve what he accomplished back in 1971.
“His suggestion planted the seed that grew for the rest of the race. By the time I arrived home, I knew it was a challenge I wanted to take on.”
Alone at sea
There’s a reason sailing around the world westwards is known as the ‘wrong way’. It has been compared to driving against oncoming traffic on a motorway.
Caffari’s unconventional path into sailing left many doubting her ability to handle such a formidable challenge.
“That just fuelled me to prove them wrong,” she said.
Before setting off on her solo voyage in 2006, Caffari had never lived alone. Yet, as she embarked on this monumental challenge, she was tasked with every role – cook, mechanic, medic, navigator and communicator.
Alone at sea, every decision rested on her shoulders. With no one to share the burden, caution was vital. Small accidents or injuries could quickly spiral into serious problems.
“When faced with something seemingly insurmountable I would try and reduce it down to manageable chunks. If the weather looked bad for days, I would tell myself that I just needed to get through the next hour initially.
“One of my most challenging moments was when I became stuck up the mast as my climbing equipment had jammed. I spent an hour and a half trying to release myself and knew that, if I was not successful, I could not alert anyone to my predicament and no one could rescue me as I was too far from land. That was pretty scary.”
Against the tide: women in sailing
As Caffari explained, sailing has been traditionally male dominated for the majority of her career. However, it remains one of the few sports where men and women can compete on an even footing.
“Having sailed in all female crews, mixed crews, and as the only female on board, I’ve found that a mixed environment really brings out the best in everybody.”
She added: “I’m in an all-female crew for the next project because it hasn’t happened before, because females haven’t had access to that. You almost have to shock everybody to then start building the process.”
Caffari highlighted the progress in recent years, and how advancements at the elite level are filtering down to grassroots.
The America’s Cup, regarded as the pinnacle of sailing, is the oldest international competition still running in any sport. This year, it hosted its first ever women’s contest. Similarly, the Paris Olympics achieved full gender parity for the first time, distributing equal places to male and female athletes.
“Having the elite end of our sport show that balance is having a knock-on effect. Now, there’s much more sailing where people aren’t surprised to be in a mixed crew.
“That’s been a massive difference. It’s still not without inequality, but it’s much more accepted. The younger generation sees it as normal, and we’re slowly changing perceptions at the other end.”
Noting her work with the World Sailing Trust, Caffari highlighted the existing disparities, and the need for further progress. However, gender equality, once a silent issue, is now be addressed with actionable steps.
Spurred by a mandate requiring female participation, The Ocean Race features more women than any other sailing competition outside of the Olympics.
“There was a lot of pushback originally,” Caffari explained.
“I was conflicted because you want to be there on your merits – not just to tick a box or fill a quota. But if you don’t mandate it, it will never happen organically. You have to force it, then people get used to it and it becomes the most normal thing ever.”
While far from perfect, the industry’s progress in recent years highlights its steady evolution. The sport is growing in a positive direction, with increased support and opportunities for female sailors.
As Caffari put it: “It’s about the sea and Mother Nature doesn’t care what gender you are. There isn’t an awareness out there. You’re a sailor on a boat doing a job that every other sailor on the boat is doing as well.”
Protecting our oceans
Beyond sailing, Caffari has championed sustainability and ocean health. As skipper of Team Turn the Tide on Plastic, she promoted alternatives to single-use plastics and highlighted the detrimental effects of pollution.
“The oceans are my office, playground and sometimes my home. I have seen first-hand the impact pollution and climate change are having.”
However, she added: “There’s a disconnect with the general public and the oceans.”
The ocean regulates the climate by distributing heat through currents, which balances global temperatures and weather patterns – It is the planet’s life support system.
“California’s on fire, Spain’s underwater. All this extreme weather is driven by changes in our ocean – ocean warming, the currents, the movement of the jet stream – it’s all connected.
“An action by somebody living in a land-locked town has just as much impact as somebody living by the sea. But the education is not there, and that connection is not being made.”
As far a sailing is concerned, Caffari explained that melting ice in Antarctica is shifting the around-the-world route further north. Global warming is intensifying storms as well as unpredictably creating calm periods, both of which pose significant challenges.
“We need to have the conviction to make more noise about it. There are people trying, but I get frustrated because lots of people are trying to do it separately. If there is a collective effort, we can have a bigger impact.”
New Horizons
The sailing industry has evolved significantly since Caffari’s career began, and now the focus is on what lies ahead.
“In order to encourage equality and diversity, sailing needs to be offered to and open to young people in the same way that other sports are,” she said.
Sailing is often viewed as elitist, inaccessible and expensive. Caffari believes changing this image is essential, emphasising the role of sailors and sailing clubs in altering perceptions.
“The reality is, very few of us own our own boats. We just get to sail, and often don’t earn much doing it.
“It’s about changing those perceptions and letting people know that boats are available and that we’re offering more pathways.”
In terms of mental health, Caffari shared how sailing provides a valuable escape in a world that never stops.
“We’re connected 24/7, and people expect answers all the time. It’s nice to switch off occasionally and our daily lives rarely allow that.
“You really appreciate that when you’re out in the ocean, down to the basics. You realise how nice it is to sit on a sofa with carpet under your feet, because I spend a lot of time without that.”
Research from the World Health Organisation reveals that globally, one in seven 10-19-year-olds suffers from mental disorders. In the digital age, where constant connectivity and online pressures dominate, young people are more vulnerable than ever.
While all physical activity is beneficial to mental health, sailing offers a unique escape. It’s an opportunity to disconnect from the demands of daily life and become immersed in the natural world.
