As a warm up to Cork Week starting this weekend from 15-21 July, boats participating in the Big V Sail set off from Portsmouth on Monday 10 July to Cork to raise awareness for the Everyman Male Cancer Campaign.

Team Caffari, made up of experienced and novice sailors, was organised by round-the-world yachtswoman Dee Caffari who is inspiring others to achieve their ambitions through her Confidence By Caffari workshops. Dee saw her team leave Portsmouth on the Farr45 and will be in Cork to welcome them on arrival where she will host the prize giving ceremony.

Dee Caffari comments: “The Big V is a fantastic new event. As well as getting everyone up to Cork, it fills a real gap in the calendar in terms of competitive, mid-range offshore racing. I am delighted that Team Caffari is now a reality and that it will debut at the Big V. Our aim is to continue to inspire people through sailing and give novice sailors a chance to experience just how exhilarating offshore racing can be. I am looking forward to see if people can keep up with Team Caffari!”

TV presenter and travel writer Ben Fogle has taken part in the inaugural Big V offshore yacht race and has put together a team that is capable of winning the event at the first attempt.

Popular TV personality Fogle said: “After taking part in the Atlantic Rowing Race I’ve got a taste for ocean racing and I’m looking to be as competitive as possible. The Big V Sail is a great event and the course is no pushover so I’m definitely up for the challenge. That means getting a great boat, being really well prepared and putting together a top crew so we can go as fast as possible. I’d be kidding you if I said I wasn’t after the World Record, so I’m talking to a few people at the moment and looking to get the best team together that I can.”