With only 37 days to go until the start of the world’s toughest round the world yacht race, the Vendée Globe, Dee Caffari and British double Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes are yesterday unveiled a new sports performance centre at Leeds Metropolitan University.
Dee and Kelly, both sporting ambassadors for Aviva, were on hand to open the centre that will aid aspiring athletes and prepare them for future sporting success.
As a Leeds Metropolitan alumnus, Dee has spent the past 18 months working with a team of sports scientists at the Carnegie Centre for Sports Performance and Wellbeing, to aid her physical and mental preparation for the Vendée Globe. This will be her last visit to the university ahead of the race and she took the opportunity to thank the team for all their hard work and support:
"I‘m about to embark on one of my greatest challenges to date - sailing solo, non-stop around the world in the Vendée Globe yacht race – keeping injury free has been one of the most important aspects of my training regime, along with building strength and working on my diet. I know I could not have got to the start line without the commitment, support and expertise of the Leeds Carnegie Team."
This week also saw Aviva return to the water. Dee and the boat team have been out sailing in the Solent, making the final tests and tweaks to all the equipment before the boat is delivered to Les Sables d’Olonne in the coming weeks. It’s also been a busy time for the shore team, as all of Dee’s food supplies, clothing and other essentials have been packed up ready to board Aviva for the delivery across the Channel to France.
Dee Caffari on board Aviva in the Solent
Photo: onEdition
