The wind has finally arrived for Dee and has lifted the spirits onboard Aviva. After sitting in a millpond for nearly four days the breeze has kicked in for both Aviva and her two closest rivals, Great America III and Spirit of Canada.
The wind has finally arrived for Dee and has lifted the spirits onboard Aviva. After sitting in a millpond for nearly four days the breeze has kicked in for both Aviva and her two closest rivals, Great America III and Spirit of Canada. Dee has lost some miles to Spirit of Canada but is hoping the breeze will remain constant so she can claw back some ground in the next 24 hours.
Dee Caffari's latest diary entry received 11.20pm UTC 14 December:
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"It took until 8am this morning before Aviva started to move convincingly. It felt like freedom and as the daylight descended upon us I could see that it was going to be a different day. The low clouds and bands of rain looked ominous but when I have only seen blue skies sunshine and no wind for so long, these clouds looked great.
"Before long I had dropped the Code 0 and hoisted the gennaker in its place. The change was just in time for 20 knots and rain to hit us and last for an hour. The swell was from the west and everything was indicating to me that I had escaped the dreaded hole that had captured me for so long. The weather files today indicate that it may still catch up with me but it will only last for about half a day. Then in comparison to that, by Monday I will meet a depression that will beast me with in excess of 35 knots all the way to the finish, it certainly will be an all or nothing affair."
Dee
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.
-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: (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.