Caffari awarded - again!

British double singlehanded round the worlder receives the Helen Rollason Award for Inspiration

Record breaking solo round the world yachtswoman, Dee Caffari, was was presented with the Helen Rollason Award for Inspiration yesterday when she attended the Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year Awards lunch.

Held at the David Beckham Academy in London, the awards are among the most prestigious and influential in the British sporting calendar and attended by leading figures within the world of sport and politics. As well as celebrating high-profile athletes - previous winners include Paula Radcliffe, Pippa Funnell, Kelly Holmes, Zara Phillips and Nicole Cooke - the event also recognises women at all levels of British sporting life including administrators working tirelessly behind the scenes, and those coaches, students and PE teachers nurturing future talent.

As a former PE teacher herself, Caffari, is well aware of the importance of grass roots sports development to encourage participation from an early age. On receiving the award Caffari said: "I am thrilled to have been acknowledged by the Sunday Times today and to have been there in person to collect the prestigious award. I think it is fitting that the awards honour both the achievements of elite athletes and the invaluable support network behind the scenes. Whilst I have picked up this award for my solo sailing exploits, the credit will be shared with the fantastic team of people that have helped me circumnavigate the globe in both directions and my sponsor behind the double world record, Aviva."

Aviva, the UK’s largest insurance group, has supported Caffari since 2005 and announced a new partnership with Caffari last month as the racing team’s founding partner. Dee is now actively searching for a new title sponsor to support her 2012 Vendée Globe campaign.

This coming Sunday, Caffari will be on the start line of the double handed Transat Jacques Vabre race from France to Costa Rica aboard her yacht Aviva which she is sailing with her former Vendee Globe competitor, Brian Thompson.