INSPIRATIONAL Hampshire yachtswoman Dee Caffari made history yesterday when she became the first woman to sail solo and non-stop both ways around the world.

At 1.13pm the 36-year-old former PE teacher sailed her 60ft yacht Aviva across the Vendée Globe finish line after 99 days at sea to secure sixth position – and her place in the history books.

Dozens of spectator boats met the Titchfield sailor as she made her final approach into the French port of Les Sables d’Olonne, the home of the race.

Crowds lined the harbour walls to watch her become only the fifth person ever to sail with and against the prevailing currents and winds around the world.

Speaking from the dockside in Les Sables, an exhausted but ecstatic Caffari said: “It’s an amazing feeling to become the first woman to sail solo, non-stop both ways around the world.

“You just can’t buy an experience like this, it’s awesome. The support and recognition has been unbelievable. I’m quite exhausted but I’ll be buzzing for the next few days.

“My goal was to set the double world first and Aviva and I have done it – I’m over the moon.”

Caffari, who only took up singlehanded racing in November 2007, has sailed more than 27,000 miles on the “easier” circumnavigation with the wind and tides in 99 days.

In 2006 she achieved the task of sailing against them east to west – taking 178 days and clocking up more than 29,000 miles.

Caffari, who is originally from Watford, Hertfordshire, has been plagued by mainsail problems and was faced with light winds in the closing stages of the Vendée – frustrating attempts to finish and claim the record.

Hamble sailor Sam Davies crossed the line in third position on Saturday morning but missed out on a podium position by one hour and 19 minutes after redress was granted to Frenchman Marc Guillemot.

Both Davies and Guillemot were given time for their part in the rescue of Yann Elies earlier in the race.

Davies, 33, set her own record as the second British female ever to complete the race after Ellen MacArthur came second in 2001.

The Isle of Wight’s Brian Thompson finished this morning in fifth place, a huge achievement for the 46-year-old who has been struck with problems since the start of the race on November 9.

Following his arrival, Thompson said: “Fifth is an excellent result overall “I wanted to be in the top five, but I hadn’t expected the race to be such a race of attrition, but that’s pretty good out of 30 boats.”