Vendee Globe 2008/09 - AVIVA-Ocean Racing/Dee Caffari www.avivaoceanracing.com - Übersicht 07.09.2008 AVIVA-Fotogalerie Celebrity Godparents bless Dee Caffari¹s Open 60 yacht Aviva with sabrage display The start of the Vendée Globe 2008/09 yacht race is only 63 days away and today at Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth, Dee Caffari had her Open 60 yacht Aviva blessed by its celebrity godparents ahead of the gruelling round the world race. Briton Lady Pippa Blake, widow of celebrated sailor and Caffari¹s long-time inspiration Sir Peter Blake, and French news presenter Patrick Poivre d¹Arvor wished Aviva and the solo yachtswoman a safe passage during the Vendée Globe. If she completes the Vendée Globe, Caffari will make history by becoming the first woman to sail solo, non-stop around the world in both directions. The solo skipper wanted to adopt the longstanding French tradition of appointing Godparents to support her Open 60 racing yacht. To celebrate today¹s blessing by Lady Pippa Blake and Patrick Poivre d¹Arvor, Dee has chosen to perform a sabrage with the boat¹s two guardians. The sabrage is a ceremonial display whereby the cork of a champagne bottle is extravagantly removed by swiping the bottle with a sword. Caffari learnt the art of sabrage when invited earlier this year by Mumm Champagne to join the new Cordon Rouge Club, a revered group of adventurers and explorers. Dee Caffari bei Segnung ihrer AVIVA Patin köpft Chamagnerflasche mit Schwert Foto: onEdition Aviva¹s godparents performed the ritual on the foredeck as they gave the state of the art yacht their blessing. The trio were joined by Philip Scott, chief financial officer of Aviva, the world¹s fifth largest savings, investments and insurance company who have supported Dee and her team since her first record breaking voyage, the Aviva Challenge, in 2005. Lady Pippa Blake, said: ŒI¹m delighted and honoured to be Aviva¹s godmother. The Vendée Globe is one of the toughest ocean races, and I wish Dee and Aviva the best of luck in completing the race and setting a new world record. Dee is a really inspirational woman and it gives me great pleasure to bless such a magnificent yacht. I know my husband would be proud of her, and would wish both Dee and the boat a safe passage around the globe.¹ Caffari and Aviva also have a godparent from the other side of the English Channel, as one of France¹s best known news presenters Patrick Poivre d¹Arvor (affectionately known as ŒPPDA¹), who today lent his support to Dee and her Aviva Ocean Racing campaign. The broadcaster will be the official starter of the Vendée Globe, on Sunday 9 November 2008. Poivre d¹Arvor will fire the gun to set the thirty-strong fleet on its way around the world. The Frenchman today wished Caffari success in completing the race which has only been won by his own countrymen since it¹s inauguration in 1989. Caffari commented: ŒIt¹s been wonderful to celebrate Aviva today, she¹s such a powerful and commanding racing yacht and to have her blessed by Lady Pippa Blake and Patrick Poivre d¹Arvor is a great honour. These last few weeks I¹ve been getting miles under my belt and testing Aviva ahead of the Vendée Globe. We¹ve really bonded and I¹m excited at the prospect of getting over to the start in France. I hope having Patrick on the start line in Les Sable d¹Olonne will give Aviva and me some extra luck!¹ For further information and interview requests contact: Caroline Ayling T: +44 (0)20 3128 6825, M: +44 (0) 7801 351950 E: caroline.ayling@synergy-sponsorship.com Kelly Russell T: +44 (0) 20 3128 6822, M: +44 (0)7786 516570 E: Kelly.russell@synergy-sponsorship.com Website: www.avivaoceanracing.com Copyright © 1996-2016 - SEGEL.DE