I’ve worked on Aviva’s sailing sponsorship of Dee Caffari, double world record breaking solo yachtswoman since 2005. Throughout the sponsorship I’ve followed Dee around the world not only once but now twice and have been lucky enough to see her hit front and back pages, achieve ‘Bongs’ on the ITV News at Ten and hit the BBC Breakfast sofa. It’s difficult to put into words the admiration you feel for someone who completes a feat as incredible as Dee’s, but I’ve had an amazing week so here’s my Twitter-style diary of what happened.
Sat 14 Feb – Val Day: Latest ETA = early Sunday. Spend most of day in press office with Kelly preparing press releases and liaising with media.
Sun 15 Feb: 11am meeting with three sailing teams to determine ETAs and logistics for getting three boats in to port within 12 hours of each other. Pretty unbelievable that three boats can be so close after 98 days sailing. 6pm – final team briefings for Monday arrivals. Prepare press releases, confirm VNR feeds and try to go to sleep. Wake up every half hour – very excited now!
Mon 16 Feb – morning: Up early but the wind has died so we wait for Dee until lunchtime. I’m getting seriously excited now, there are butterflies in my stomach. Jump in media RIB to be the first boats to see Dee and Aviva. As we see her over the horizon I feel tingles go down my spine. Her mainsail is wrecked. There she is, that big Caffari smile – she’s jumping around on deck. We’re about 10 miles from the finish. Come on Dee! An armada of security boats arrive to escort her to the line. At 13:12:27 Dee crosses the line – history made, first woman to sail solo non-stop both ways around the world!
Mon 16 Feb – afternoon: The boys jump onboard and take over, Dee’s sister jump on too – everyone wells up – this is seriously emotional stuff. She parades to the bowsprit with union jack in hand. The tides are not on our side so Aviva has to moor up outside Les Sables d’Olonne. Dee lights the first flares. Thousands of adoring fans are waving, cheering, all recognising her amazing achievement. We RIB media out to Dee and Aviva for the first face-to-face interviews. She’s on fire, you would never have thought she’d spent 99 days alone. There are no signs of tiredness, her tanned face is radiant and she’s obviously revelling in human contact. We whizz through the interviews and wait for the tide.
Mon 16 Feb – evening: 6pm French time and the tide turns, we start the trip up the channel into port. The sea walls are lined three deep in people waving yellow Aviva bang bang sticks. We reach the dock. Dee’s Mum comes onboard, the snappers go crazy, bulbs flash left right and centre! We head to the podium; Dee does the whole thing in French, she’s remarkable. We enter the press conference – there’s a standing ovation! Party time – we dance until the early hours. Skippers, sponsors, friends, family and fans all singing “Dee is the Champion of the World” – head is going to hurt tomorrow.
Tues 18 Feb: Yes, head hurts, but BBC Breakfast want her back on the sofa tomorrow. Planning commences to fly Dee back to the UK.
Wed 19 Feb: Dee and Sam Davies join BBC Breakfast on the sofa. Hit BBC Radio studios for live interviews. Head back to the office with Dee, met with more standing ovations. Dee heads back to France. Job done!
By Caroline Ayling on February 23rd, 2009
Tags: Aviva, BBC, Dee Caffari, ITV, Media, Public relations, Sponsorship
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