Spirits have been restored on Aviva following the frustrations of recent days but now Dee Caffari is attempting to overcome her latest challenge on the Transat Jacques Vabre: her aversion to flying fish.
Spirits have been restored on Aviva following the frustrations of recent days but now Dee Caffari is attempting to overcome her latest challenge on the Transat Jacques Vabre: her aversion to flying fish.
Lying in 13th place, and heading towards the Cape Verde Islands off the east coast of Africa, Aviva is enjoying warmer waters. However, with this luxury comes the hazard of flying fish, which take flight through the air, normally to escape predators, and land on deck. It is territory that Dee dreads.
"We had our first flying fish yesterday and I thought ‘Oh no' because I hate them. This boat is so much faster than anything else I've raced so when they land on deck, they land with much more force. If they hit you, you could be in big trouble. What they do in the water is quite cool but when they land on deck, they smack into things and create a big mess and a horrible smell. And they have big beady eyes staring at you. It is horrible - they are really minging and nasty."
To offset the flying fish horrors, Dee and co-skipper Nigel King have been relishing their escort of a school of dolphins.
"The dolphins last night were awesome. We seemed to be surrounded by phosphorescence and it was as if we had heat-seeking missiles alongside all night. Even when we gybed they came with us. We have had a few birds too. Nigel brought along some bird seed - for himself actually - so has been encouraging them."
Dee and Nigel have settled into a domestic routine onboard Aviva. However, the restricted space, heat of the tropics and lack of everyday luxuries is beginning to be noticed.
She admitted: "Down below deck, things are bit minging. We have had no rain, which is unbelievable and the temperature has risen so it's stuffy but quite tidy. It's so small down there so you can't afford to be messy. I encourage Nigel to clear up and we are religious about ‘you use it, you wash it'.
"But they have had to agree to disagree over their musical tastes," she explained.
"I sing all the time but Nigel doesn't - I tend to do it while he's asleep. I'm sure he thinks I am slightly screwy because I talk to the boat and if he is down below, he will say ‘sorry, what was that?' and I'll say ‘I wasn't talking to you' and he will say ‘Well, who on earth were you talking to?!'.
"I brought my iPod but mainly for the journey home because I didn't know what it would be like with someone else on board. I had music playing the other day when I was driving but Nigel wasn't sure about it so we decided to save it for easy sailing only. If there is any stress or there is a lot on, we turn it off. We've been listening to all different kinds of stuff as my nephew, Matthew, loaded my iPod with some ‘trendy' music before I left. He thinks I struggle with anything trendy!"
Back on the race track, the Aviva co-skippers have targeted Cervin EnR and Akena Verandas as the boats to beat and are pleased with the progress they are making. Dee is continuing to gain valuable race experience in her bid to become the first woman to sail both ways round the world by competing in the Vendée Globe 2008/9.
"Akena and Cervin are our main competition now. Having sat in no winds, we have found more pressure but we have had to sail a few extra miles to fund it so it is a bit of a catch 22 situation but we are enjoying some really good sailing."
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 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
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- 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