HAMPSHIRE ocean racer Dee Caffari yesterday celebrated with champagne mid-Atlantic to mark the second anniversary of her record-breaking round the world voyage.

Exactly two years ago yesterday Caffari sailed into the record books as the first woman to sail non-stop singlehanded around the world against the prevailing winds and currents.

She popped the cork on a bottle of bubbly onboard yacht Aviva to mark two years since the momentous achievement.

She said: "I can't believe it's been two years since I completed the Aviva Challenge.

"It seems so appropriate that I'll be celebrating whilst sailing all by myself again.

"I've got so many memories of my round the world adventure, from sailing with the dolphins to being stuck up the mast, helpless for hours while a storm headed towards me."

When the 35-year-old sailed back into Southampton after spending 178 days alone at sea, she secured her place in sailing history alonside fellow record-breaking Hampshire sailors Ellen MacArthur, Mike Golding and Sir Robin Knox Johnston.

The former teacher from Titchfield is currently in the mid-Atlantic, around 1,500 miles from the shores of Britain, competing in the Artemis Transat singlehanded race.

The race, a 3,000-mile sprint from Plymouth to Boston, is Caffari's latest solo adventure as she warms up for the epic Vendée Globe race in November, She added: "Some people say solo sailors are crazy but I wouldn't change what I do for the world.

"Being at one with the sea, your boat and challenging yourself is what I'm all about.

"My new boat Aviva and I plan to celebrate with some bubbles but I'm staying focused on the current race.

"We're about half way to Boston so I've got a few more miles to complete before we'll have a real celebration."