This year I found myself at home for the whole month of February, which was a mixed blessing. I swapped hanging out in airports for catching up with friends and family and focussing on my personal training. The upside was being able to relax and enjoy this time without having to worry about having to catch a flight somewhere. The downside was experiencing the excessive and seemingly continual wet weather. As we reached the end of the month, I started to see the faintest glimpse of spring arriving. The sun finally put in an appearance, bringing with it some much needed warmth to encourage the spring flowers to emerge.
Snowdrops, crocus and daffodils never fail to bring a smile to may face as they start bursting into life at this time of year and, as I had more reason that usual to be outside, I was able to enjoy them all the more. Encouraging me out the door each day was a gorgeous young spaniel I had the pleasure of looking after for a friend. It was wonderful to have the unconditional love of a canine companion for the week and allowed me to increase my step count, which had drastically reduced not having Jack to walk each day. I forgot how much energy a four year old dog has, but having one as a guest was great for the body and soul. I loved every minute.
Whilst home I had the opportunity to support organisations that are very close to my heart, which included joining the Royal Yachting Association to celebrate their 150th anniversary. For a century and a half, the RYA have delivered leadership, innovation and passion for boating in the UK and beyond. From pioneering unified racing rules to fostering Olympic champions, promoting accessibility, embracing sustainability, the RYA’s journey reflects the evolution of boating. The celebrations, that will take place throughout 2025, began with a lunch hosted by their president HRH Princess Royal.
Staying with the RYA, I also attended their annual dinghy and water sports show at Farnborough exhibition centre. The two-day event was a buzz with families, activities and conversations with leading athletes and influencers in this arena. I was there in my capacity as Ambassador for Sunsail to announce the return of their ‘Funding the Future’ Initiative. Alongside my fellow judges, we opened the entry process to sailing and yacht clubs across the UK. This initiative aims to provide essential financial resources to clubs, which can be used to enhance facilities, invest in equipment, develop innovative programs and cultivate the next generation of sailors. The deadline for applications is May 23rd so don’t miss out and apply for your club or organisation via this link : https://www.sunsail.com/uk/funding-the-future
Before closing, I want to congratulate the skippers that finished the Vendee Globe during February. The 10th edition of this race has been impressive on so many levels and it is exciting to have seen the rising stars in our sport begin to shine. Planet Sail’s Matt Sheahan and I discussed what we have seen throughout this race around the world and you can watch our chat via the link on my website – www.deecaffari.com. Belgian skipper, Denis Van Weynberg, will be the final skipper to complete the race. He is being tested right to the limit with mainsail issues but we hope to see him arrive safely back into Les Sables d’Olonne during the second weekend in March.