Dee-light: Briton becomes first woman to sail non-stop round world three times

The British sailor who today became the only woman to sail round the world non-stop three times said she "considers herself relatively sane".

Dee Caffari, 38, punched the air in delight as she crossed the line off Barcelona this morning after 102 days at sea.

She and her Spanish co-skipper Anna Corbella, 34, came sixth in the 25,000-mile Barcelona World Race on their 60ft yacht GAES Centros Auditivos. Caffari, from Titchfield, Hampshire, has already circumnavigated the globe twice solo, and now once double-handed. She said as she arrived: "Sailing around the world just once in a lifetime is an amazing experience. To set another world record is an absolute privilege.

"It's been a long time but it feels great to be finished. We were ready for the finish, for some fresh food and a hot shower." She confessed to having done her hair in preparation for the arrival.

Caffari said she could achieve more: "I'm learning. I'm getting better at it and, believe it or not, there are a few more round the worlds in me, and I consider myself relatively sane."

Fellow Briton Dame Ellen MacArthur has also completed two non-stop circumnavigations. But Caffari is still the only woman to have sailed solo and non-stop around the world both with and against prevailing winds and currents.

Caffari and Corbella - the first Spanish woman to circumnavigate the world non-stop - were the only all-female team out of 14 boats that began the race in Barcelona in December. Four crews were forced to retire during the voyage.