Dee Caffari has made good progress through the notorious doldrums and overtaken her two closest race rivals, Spirit of Canada and Great American III. Over the last 24 hours Dee has gained much confidence in her decision-making and ability to sail her Open 60 yacht Aviva solo.
Dee Caffari has made good progress through the notorious doldrums and overtaken her two closest race rivals, Spirit of Canada and Great American III. Over the last 24 hours Dee has gained much confidence in her decision-making and ability to sail her Open 60 yacht Aviva solo. The latest poll shows that Dee's tactical decision on when to cross the doldrums has paid off. Aviva moved up into 13th position and Dee is now looking to pursue the next group of yachts ahead of her, including Cervin EnR, Akena Verendas and Maisonneuve.
Dee Caffari's latest diary entry received 12.02am UTC 5 December 2007:
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"Well I have definitely made it to the dreaded ‘pot au noir'. That's the doldrums to you and me and they are always full of surprises. The cloud cover has lowered and in between the general white low cloud base there are some huge black ones. These normally deposit large amounts of rain and some give wind with gusto and some take it away. Generally though, there is always a band of wind as you enter the cloud then again as you leave.
"I sat happily today looking at an ominous cloud about to cover me and I was wondering how much rain and how much wind was in it. As clouds approach I make the changes to a smaller sail plan and prepare for the punch of the cloud. It is safer and easier in the long term than trying to make the changes when 30 knots descends. Even if making the sail changes proves unnecessary, changing back is easier than trying to wrestle with sails and boat in difficult conditions. That said, I jumped up and changed my headsail and then set up the mainsail ready to be reefed. I held back, the first force hit me at 22 knots. So far so good, we just sailed faster. Then the rain turned to hail and just as I looked up a huge fork of lightning struck. I was surprised but I nearly jumped out of my skin when the huge clap of thunder sounded directly above my head. I hate thunder and lightning.
"The ordeal of reefing was worth it as 30 knots struck. All you can do is wait and change the sails as the wind changes so I grabbed the soap and had a shower and washed my hair. This is the equivalent of a spa day for me out here! Visibility had gone completely and the rain lasted a whole hour, the wind however returned to the normal 13 thirteen knots until the cloud completely passed and then all the wind disappeared. So now I float trying to head north as the quickest passage through, but the wind has different ideas."
Dee
Team Update from Andrew Roberts, Aviva Ocean Racing campaign director, received at 9.46am UTC 5 December 2007:
"Dee was following the fleet but because she knew she would hit the doldrums later and therefore experience different conditions, she trusted her judgment and has picked a very good spot to cross the doldrums. This route has taken her west of the rhumb line*, however, these tactics have paid off already as she has overtaken the two boats that have been ahead of her since the start. The North Atlantic weather is very confused and it may well be a case of finding a route to France which may be longer, but ultimately faster, a common theme for this race."
* A Rhumb Line is the shortest route from A to B.
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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:
Aviva plc
Aviva is the leading provider of life and pensions to Europe with 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.
2008/9 Vendée Globe qualification requires both the skipper and the boat entering the race to complete a solo qualification sail validated by the Vendée Globe race management of at least 1500 nautical miles, by 1 July 2008. The Transat Ecover B to B will qualify Dee and the current Aviva. However, she will be required to qualify the new Aviva that is currently under construction in Hakes Marine, New Zealand. She will be racing the new Aviva, sister ship to Mike Golding's new Ecover, in the 2008/9 Vendée Globe.
Aviva Ocean Racing Summary
After setting a world record last year sailing around the world against the prevailing winds and current, Dee Caffari's next ambition is to compete in the 2008/9 Vendée Globe and become the first woman to sail around the world, solo, in both directions.
Transat Ecover B to B
The 4,300-mile single-handed Transat Ecover B to B from Salvador de Bahia in Brazil to Port-La-Forêt, France is most important milestone of the Aviva Ocean Racing campaign to date. The race will be the first time that Caffari has raced solo and is the first time she'll be alone at sea since completing her record making round the world voyage. Despite being one of the least experienced Open 60 Skippers in the fleet, Caffari is determined to prove she can compete alongside some of the best sailors in the world.
Further information on Dee Caffari and her Aviva Ocean Racing campaign can be found at www.avivaoceanracing.com.