Dee Caffari prepares for Three Peaks Yacht Race
Record breaking skipper, Dee Caffari is making final preparations ahead of the start of the Three Peaks Yacht Race on 11 June, 2016.
There is less than two weeks to go until one of the toughest long distance multi-sport races in the UK, the Three Peaks Yacht Race.
Dee Caffari and her team are making their final preparations before sailing 389 nautical miles, climbing 11,000 feet and walking or running 73 miles to complete the challenge.
The route is from Barmouth to Fort William. During the race, competitors have to reach the top of Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis by foot.
The race, which started in 1977, was established in honour of sailor and mountaineer Major HW Tilman.
Watch highlights of the gruelling race below
Caffari, who is taking on the challenge to raise money for Sail 4 Cancer, said: “I am excited to be taking part in an event that has been on my to-do-list for a long time. I will skipper the Sail4Cancer boat, hoping to raise funds and awareness for this charity in one of the toughest multi-discipline events there is.”
She continued: “The race involves sailing in some tricky areas then overcoming the three highest peaks in Wales, England and Scotland. Tidal water, ever changing weather and tough terrain are challenges that my team and I will be looking forward to.”
The round the world yachtswoman is building a strong team including expert meteorologist and navigator Libby Greenhalgh and experienced runners and cyclists Rob Barnes, Traharn Chidley and Matt Hinge.
Both Caffari and Sail 4 Cancer are being supported by Sunsail.
Sail 4 Cancer’s fundraising manager, Lizette Van Niekerk, said the team is getting excited ahead of the Three Peaks Yacht Race.
“Dee has brought together a very strong team and we hope to do well,” she said.
“We decided to take on this huge challenge to raise funds for Sail 4 Cancer and to make more people aware of the important part respite has during the recovering process. Fighting cancer can be overwhelming and all-consuming and families need a break from the constant stress,” stated Van Niekerk.
Sail 4 Cancer was set up in 2001 by a group of keen sailors who had all lost a close friend or relative to cancer.
The charity provides respite breaks and holidays for families and young carers affected by cancer.
Each year, it helps more than 500 people to get way from the stress of living with the disease for long periods.
The Three Peaks Yacht Race starts at 2pm on 11 June. There will be 17 teams taking part in the challenge.
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