Dee Caffari is the first woman to have single-handedly sailed non-stop around the world in both directions and the only woman to have sailed non-stop around the world a total of three times.

What course did you study here?

“I studied Human Movement Studies before embarking on a PGCE which led to a career teaching in local schools. It was a fantastic environment of extremely skilled athletes with a real passion for sharing their sports with us all. I met athletes from all disciplines and levels of their sport; from Olympians and elite athletes to those transitioning to other sports. 

We were given the opportunity to learn and play every type of sport you could think of and my overwhelming memory from this degree was having our cricket session with Bernie White. He was a traditionalist and the match was played in front of the James Graham building on the quad, in full sight of everyone. Therefore, it was important that we all looked the part even if our skill level was not necessarily quite as impressive as our attire. It was cricket whites or don’t bother showing up and, because it was Bernie, we all wanted to show up.”

What did you do after teaching in local schools?

“After my first-year teaching, I moved to the south coast to work at an International College for several years before re-training as a water sports instructor. Working in the water sports industry led to sailing opportunities and ultimately a career change to become a professional sailor.”

Why did you get in touch with your old university?

“Only four men have completed this demanding voyage and it is an achievement I am extremely proud of. Spending six months at sea alone is both physically and mentally demanding, so when I had the opportunity to race solo around the world, the right way, in a race called the Vendee Globe, I knew I needed to up my game.

“I had just been awarded my honorary masters from Leeds Metropolitan University when we began discussions about the physical and psychological preparation required to step up to this level of racing. 

“Leeds Met kindly offered to support my journey and I worked with them on my preparation so I could be in the best place possible for the Vendee Globe. I believe the work we did together was of great benefit and provided a level of confidence in my ability to manage myself and perform optimally throughout the race.”

Can you tell us a bit about your most recent race around the world?

“I was skipper of Turn the Tide on Plastic in the last edition of The Ocean Race. I led a mixed, youth, international team with a strong sustainability message. 

“Along the race we sampled ocean water every day in some of the most remote areas of the world. We were testing for microplastic content and the results revealed the shocking truth that it is a problem everywhere, even in the depths of the Southern Ocean. 

“I had seen macro plastics before; balloons, nets, crates, bottles and food packaging but I’d never thought about smaller plastic particles that had broken down, many of which can’t be seen with the naked eye. 

“This data had never been gathered before and we now had research results that could not be ignored. The fight for Ocean Health was able to gather momentum and I am very proud that, in some way, we contributed to the shift in attitudes and reduction in our reliance on plastics in our day to day lives.

What have you been doing since you returned home?

“I have continued to work towards a more sustainable future as Chair of the World Sailing Trust and helping organisations to become more sustainable in their practise.

“Alongside my sailing, I will continue to challenge organisations to become more sustainable and advise on ways they can achieve this.”