Hampshire ocean sailors Dee Caffari and Sam Davies today launched their bid to smash the round Britain record.

The record-breaking pair were joined on Dee’s yacht Aviva by their all girl crew to mark the start of their record attempt.

Dee, from Titchfield became the first woman to sail solo around the world in both directions when she completed the 30,000-mile Vendee Globe race in February.

Sam, from Hamble, sailed into the record books in fourth place as only the second British woman to complete the round the world race.

The pair will be joined by Hamble’s Miranda Merron and Alex Sizer as well as French sailor Isabelle Joschke.

They will set sail early next week, depending on the weather, in an attempt to beat the current record.