The only woman to sail solo, non-stop, around the world in both directions, will be delivering an inspiring online guest lecture at Sheffield Hallam University next week.

Press contact: Luke Fowler L.fowler@shu.ac.uk

Dee Caffari MBE has sailed around the world a total of six times, and is the only woman in history to sail single-handed around the globe in both directions without stopping. Dee was awarded an MBE in 2006 in recognition of this outstanding feat.

She has also competed in the 2008/9 Vendée Globe Race, finishing sixth out of 30 competitors, and in 2011, became the only woman to have circumnavigated the globe non-stop three times when she completed the Barcelona World Race.

As part of the Sport and Physical Activity research Centre’s (SPARC) seminar series taking place on Tuesday 2 March, Dee will speak about her experiences of sailing solo, but also what it was like to be the only female skipper in the Global Challenge 2004/5 and The Volvo Ocean Race 2017/18. She will offer her audience an insight into what it takes to overcome adversity and the attributes needed to be a successful leader.

As a prominent ocean advocate, Dee will also share her thoughts on the importance of minimising the use of plastics, and her work to inspire others to take action against the use of non-sustainable resources that are polluting our oceans.

Dee said: “Pushing outside your comfort zone and challenging society’s norms, can be a daunting prospect. But if you face those challenges, adapt and overcome, what you can achieve can be something quite special. Learning to communicate and get the best from your team to enable you to play to your strengths, whilst harnessing the power of mother nature, would be a test for anyone. However, when it does come together it can be like magic.”

Dr Leighton Jones, a Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Science at Sheffield Hallam University, said: “Dee will discuss how by facing our challenges head-on, we can achieve our goals and perhaps even surpass them. Dee will share her experiences and understanding of leadership and inclusion, gained through both her solo and team challenges.

“Dee has substantial experience of overcoming enormous physical and mental challenges in her sailing endeavours. The talk will provide insights into how challenges can be overcome at an individual level but also by working effectively as a team. We are all facing significant challenges at the moment, and hearing how other people have overcome theirs can help inspire us to overcome ours”

This SPARC Seminar Series event is free to attend and you can book your tickets here.