World record-setting British sailing heroine Dee Caffari will be among nearly 3,000 sailors taking part in next week?s Newport-Bermuda Race.

The 33-year-old, who last month became the first yachtswoman in history to successfully complete a solo-circumnavigation west-about, against the prevailing winds and currents, will compete aboard the Volvo 60

Caffari?s amazing adventure took a total of 178 days during which she pushed herself and her 72ft boat to the extreme ? battling mountainous waves, negotiating icebergs and severe weather conditions whilst also coping with intense sleep deprivation and solitude.

?Andrew Pindar first invited me to race in the Newport-Bermuda Race a few months ago when I was still alone at sea,? she said.

?Naturally I jumped at the chance and it gave me a real boost to have something to look forward to.

?After six months of solitude, it will be great to return to racing with other people again and I?m really excited about being part of the Pindar crew for what promises to be a fantastic race.?

Nearly 280 boats will compete in the 635-mile race which departs from Newport, Rhode Island, next Friday.