IT was a dream start for Hampshire yachtswoman Dee Caffari as she began her bid to become the first woman to sail solo non-stop around the world in both directions.

Caffari was one of thirty sailors from around the world who set sail from Les Sables d'Olonne on Sunday on the Everest of sailing challenges - the Vendée Globe.

At the time of going to press last night Caffari was the top international skipper lying in eighth place just ahead of the defending Vendée Globe title holder Vincent Riou.

The 35-year-old from Titchfield had been in seventh but was overtaken by Jean Le Cam yesterday afternoon.

Just one mile behind in ninth was Vendée Globe veteran Mike Golding who clawed his way back from 21st after taking the same route as fleet leader Marc Guillemot onboard Safran.

Golding, from Warsash, is now taking on his third Vendée Globe race and is one of the favourites for victory.

Hamble's Sam Davies sailing her pink boat Roxy was last night in 13th position with Gosport's Alex Thomson half a mile behind her in 14th.

Brian Thompson, from Lymington, was in 18th position and Southampton's Jonny Malbon was in 22nd.

After leaving France in strong winds of more than 25 knots and four-metre seas, the sailors were last night preparing for a cold front to hit as they tries to escape the clutches of the Bay of Biscay.

Several of the competitors have already been forced to return to port to carry out repairs including pre-race favourite Michael Desjoyeaux.

The 24,000-mile race is expected to take the sailors around three months to complete.