Profiles

In the last two years, the Titchfield-based sailor has gone from corporate sailing in the Solent to the highly competitive world of Open 60 racing, one of the fastest boats in sailing.

In December Dee had to abandon the Transat B to B after Aviva lost her mast in a spell of severe weather leaving her stranded in the Bay of Biscay - a frustrating 470 miles from the finish line.

A cruel blow

"It was horrendous, but it's on my learning curve and it's an experience I've had now, I've come through the other side, I've dealt with it and I know what I need to do - heaven forbid should it happen again."

HMS Northumberland on standby to Aviva

"There was a number of boats that had lost their masts and I thought wow, I don't know how they're coping, I wouldn't know what to do - and then 'Hey Presto' a few days later I was in exactly the same situation."

HMS Northumberland was diverted to help Dee and provide shelter for the stricken yacht so she could rest ahead of a 24-hour tow by tug to La Coruna in northern Spain.

The New Aviva

2008 looks set to be an incredible year for Dee; her ten year-old Open 60 Aviva has now been replaced with a brand new purpose-built race boat, which shares the same design as Mike Golding's Ecover III.

"I'm going to be sailing her in Portugal so I can add some more miles under her keel before my first race. She's a real powerful boat and I've got a whole load of boat to control now!"

Dee's first adventure in her new 'formula one' race boat will be the Artemis Transat in May - a transatlantic from Plymouth to Boston which she must complete to gain entry into the Vendée Globe.

Globe Glory

Dee will take on her ultimate challenge, the Vendée Globe - the pinnacle of offshore sailing in November; the non-stop solo yacht race is an epic voyage which covers 23,000-miles, and takes three months to complete.

Dee sailing the new Aviva in New Zealand

"Whereas before I went round the world and I just had to achieve it, this is about racing now.  It's quite exciting but I'm in quite in awe of the sailors I'm racing against."

27 boats will take part in the race which takes place every four years - it's well-known for being the toughest, and has a 40% drop-out rate which is just due to breakages, weather or fatigue.

"I've elected to be competitive by having a new boat built - I'm one of 19 new boats so I'm halfway there as I have the tool for the job, now it's up to me to sail it and keep it performing."

By competing in the race Dee will become the first woman to sail non-stop around the world in both directions.