Today, Aviva, the UK’s largest insurance group, announced a new partnership with Dee Caffari as the racing team’s founding partner. Following four successful years as title sponsor of the world record-breaking yachtswoman, Aviva will be reducing its investment but retaining a close relationship with Caffari who will continue to act as a brand ambassador for the company.
Dee Caffari is now actively searching for a new title sponsor to support her next Vendée Globe campaign.
Aviva has supported Dee Caffari to three world records since 2005, including the Aviva Challenge and the gruelling 2008/9 Vendée Globe race. Having completed both circumnavigations, Caffari became the first woman to sail solo, non stop, around the world in both directions. More recently, Caffari and her all-female crew broke the mono-hull speed record around Britain and Ireland aboard her Open 60 racing yacht, Aviva.
Sarah Loughran, Head of Corporate Sponsorship at Aviva, commented:
“We’ve achieved some fantastic results with Dee over the last four years and Aviva is proud to be part of her team. Whilst we are reducing our involvement we want to retain a long term relationship and continue to be a part of Dee’s amazing journey towards her next attempt to win the Vendée Globe.”
The new partnership will enable Dee Caffari to compete in the last race of the season, the Transat Jacques Vabre, a 4,800 mile two-handed race from France to Costa Rica. Joining Caffari onboard Aviva will be fellow Brit and Vendée Globe race rival Brian Thompson.
Dee Caffari added: ‘Aviva and I have built up a strong relationship over the years and I am delighted that their support will enable me to compete in the last race of the year while I look for a new title sponsor. The opportunity to sail with Brian Thompson as my co-skipper is fantastic. We were so close during the Vendée Globe we almost feel we have sailed together already. We’re determined to put in a great British performance.”
