Ms Caffari hopes to cross the finish line in Ushant, France, on 12 May

Dee Caffari, 32, a former Southampton teacher, still has about 6,200 miles (9,978km) to sail against the prevailing winds and currents.

Ms Caffari, from Gosport, Hampshire, set off on the challenge in November.

If the Atlantic leg goes well, she hopes to finish in Ushant in France on 12 May, after 172 days at sea.

She's still got 6,200 miles to the finish line, which is the equivalent of two transatlantic crossings Andrew Roberts, Aviva Challenge director

Speaking via email as she rounded the Cape of Good Hope in her 72-foot cutter Aviva, Ms Caffari said: "Well, we have made it, three great capes passed, the Southern Ocean conquered and finally we are homeward bound."

Ms Caffari has spent 14,000 (22,531km) of her 22,000 miles (35,406km) in the treacherous Southern Ocean, battling through what seemed like a continuous storm.

Before that, she has also had to deal with a bout of technical problems which occurred while she was near the Falkland Islands.

Andrew Roberts, director of the Aviva Challenge shore team, said: "She's still got 6,200 miles to the finish line, which is the equivalent of two transatlantic crossings.

"However, despite taking a brutal pounding across the Southern Ocean, Dee's excellent seamanship has kept the boat in remarkably good condition and there are currently no major technical issues, which bodes well for a successful charge up the Atlantic."

She is being supported in her voyage by Sir Chay Blyth - the first person to sail the route, in 1971.