Gaes girls

Rebranded Open 60 launched for Barcelona World Race female duo Anna Corbella and Dee Caffari

The IMOCA Open 60 GAES Centros Auditivos is ready to face its greatest challenge, the Barcelona World Race, following the launch of the boat today at the Reial Club Marítim de Barcelona. Spanish sailor Anna Corbella and Dee Caffari from the UK will be the only all-female crew taking part in the race, which sets sail from Barcelona on 31 December. On successful completion of the 46,300 km race, Corbella will become the first Spanish female to circumnavigate the globe non stop.

Corbella said: "It is the first time I will participate in a race around the world. Dee and I are keen to show that women and men compete as equals on the water."

Dee Caffari added: “With the support of Aviva and my team, I was fortunate to have been given a similar opportunity to the one Anna now has. I am delighted to be sharing my experiences and be part of the team that will help Anna continue to progress in the competitive environment of sailing around the world.”

Corbella and Caffari have already begun their training plan and are finalising the last details for their first race: the IMOCA 60 Tour of Spain and will participate in this series of short races which will begin on 12 June at the Port of Hondarribia in the Basque Country.

Also present at today's launch was Spanish synchronized swimmer and world champion gold medalist, Gemma Mengual, who was announced as Godmother to GAES Centros Auditivos and wished good luck to both of the crew members, emphasizing the increasingly important role of women in sport.

Antonio Gassó, Director General and CEO of GAES, a leader in hearing aids, said: “This new sponsorship is a further step in linking the company to the world of sport and more specifically that of ocean sailing with which we strongly identify. As a company we share the values associated with the sport of sailing, such as teamwork, achievement and effort."

GAES’ support for the world of sailing began in 2007 after providing the Desafió Español, the only Spanish boat that participated in the 2007 America’s Cup, with a unique advanced communication system. Last year, through GAES Solidaria, the company sponsored six Spanish teams who participated in the last Transat 6,50 / La Rochelle, Salvador de Bahia, more popularly known as the Mini-Transat.

GAES leader in hearing aids. Founded in 1949 and based in Barcelona, GAES Centros Auditivos has always been a pioneer in technological innovation. GAES is dedicated to providing hearing solutions for people with hearing problems. GAES currently has a network of over 500 auditory centers, of which over 400 are in Spain and the rest spread through Portugal, Chile, Argentina and Turkey.

Last year GAES, through GAES Solidaria and with the advice, technical and logistical support of the Fundació Navegació Oceánica Barcelona, entered the world of ocean racing. Its sports sponsorships totalled six Mini Class Spanish sailors, including Anna Corbella, who participated in the famous Mini-Transat. The sponsorship was linked to the distribution of 200 hearing aids among the various projects GAES Solidaria runs in different countries.