The pressures of being a professional solo sailor are starting to hit home for Dee Caffari as she plans her strategy to move up the fleet in the Transat Ecover B to B race from Brazil to Brittany.
The pressures of being a professional solo sailor are starting to hit home for Dee Caffari as she plans her strategy to move up the fleet in the Transat Ecover B to B race from Brazil to Brittany.
In her fourth day alone at sea, Dee is struggling to settle into a routine. Her eating and sleeping patterns are irregular, making her tired and anxious. On top of this her confidence in Aviva, Dee's ten year old Open 60, has yet to be re-established following the setback of the Bahia start where problems with her furling line and Code 0 forced her back into port and placed her five hours behind the rest of the fleet.
The Transat Ecover B to B race marks Dee's debut in single-handed Open 60 racing. Her aim is to complete the race and get the boat back by Christmas but life as a professional skipper, heading up a large team all focussed on her participating in next years Vendée Globe, is preying heavily on her mind.
Dee Caffari's latest comments, received 11.30am UTC 3 December:
"This is definitely the most challenging thing I have ever done but I am hanging on and getting better at it. I've been very demoralised but am feeling alright. I'm not settling in naturally. The boat is pretty uncomfortable, she always feels on the edge and I haven't set up a comfortable routine yet. It's weird and I am struggling with it.
"Being at the back at the fleet is really winding me up. The boat is noisy and wet. It is hard but no one said it would be easy. I have just read Sir Robin Knox-Johnston's book ‘Force of Nature' and that made me cry too so things have been pretty emotional.
"I feel like I'm letting the team down because they have worked really hard to get me here. My biggest thing is proving to the team in New Zealand who are building the new boat that I deserve it. I know I'm adding pressures but there are still 3,000 miles to go so who knows.
"Mentally I'm getting stronger every day. I have closed the gap on the back runners in the fleet and that is giving me a bit more confidence."
Dee
-ends-
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.