Following the first full week of racing, the Aviva co-skippers have made the tactical decision to head west of the Canary Islandsin an attempt to close the gap on the fleet to the south of them.
Following the first full week of racing, the Aviva co-skippers have made the tactical decision to head west of the Canary Islandsin an attempt to close the gap on the fleet to the south of them. The changeable wind conditions, fluctuating constantly from a light breeze to over 25 knots, have caused Deeand Nigel frustration. The co-skippers have been battling hard to keep Aviva's position in the race.
Deesaid, from onboard Aviva at 1.24am UTC: "Looking at the weather files this morning we were convinced that the breeze would fill in to the west of the Canaries so headed in that direction as fast as possible. That meant we wouldn't spend another night stuck close to islands trying to keep moving."
Having been previously overtaken by Akena Verendas, the two yachts are now on a similar westerly course with Aviva attempting to bridge the 40 mile gap.
Deeadded, "All miles in the right direction are good miles. With 2,700 miles to Brazilwe can be back in the hunt once more."
Aviva is currently in 13th position in the race.
To follow Caffari and King's progress in the Transat Jacques Vabre race and to view Dee's video diary entries log on to www.avivaoceanracing.com.
To receive Dee's diary, via the RSS feed visit http://www.avivaoceanracing.com/rss.
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For further information contact:
Caroline Ayling
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7202 2840
Mobile: +44 (0)7801 351950
E-mail: carolinea@karen-earl.co.uk
Kelly Russell
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7202 2862
Mobile: 07786 516570
E-mail: kellyr@karen-earl.co.uk
Notes to editors:
All skippers taking part in the 2007 race signed the Transat Jacques Vabre Charter for Sustainable Development. The five main aims of the Charter are:
- Promote the values of sailing
- Reduce the ecological footprint of the Transat Jacques Vabre event
- Encourage everyone involved to commit towards creating a responsible event
- Encourage the public to engage with the challenges of sustainable development
- Develop the local dynamics and North-South relations
Aviva plc
Aviva is the leading provider of life and pensions to Europewith substantial positions in other markets around the world, making it the world's fifth largest insurance group based on gross worldwide premiums at 31 December 2006.
Aviva's principal business activities are long-term savings, fund management and general insurance, with worldwide total sales of £41.5 billion and assets under management of £364 billion at 31 December 2006.
The Aviva media centre at www.aviva.com/media includes images, company and product information and a news release archive.
- Further information on Dee Caffari and her Aviva Ocean Racing campaign can be found at www.avivaoceanracing.com
- Further information on Nigel King can be found at www.nigelkingyachting.com