Dee Caffari has set her sights on the ice gate as her next milestone in the Artemis Transat race. Caffari is looking to build on the miles she has made up on the boats directly ahead of her (Cervin EnR and Akena Verendas) before she passes the hypothetical gate from 47º W to 50º W across 40º N (below the Grand Banks).
Dee Caffari has set her sights on the ice gate as her next milestone in the Artemis Transat race. Caffari is looking to build on the miles she has made up on the boats directly ahead of her (Cervin EnR and Akena Verendas) before she passes the hypothetical gate from 47º W to 50º W across 40º N (below the Grand Banks).
The front runners passed through the ice gate, a 130-mile wide line, last night whilst the chasing pack aim to cross the line that signals the remaining 1,000 miles to Boston as soon as possible. The ice gate was established by the race organisers as a safety measure to ensure the fleet kept clear of the thousands of potentially lethal icebergs that have become increasingly prevalent in the north Atlantic this spring.
Caffari spent the night clawing back much needed miles and this morning reported: "It's a bit full on. I'm going to be exhausted by the time I arrive in Boston because it is hard work and I'm struggling to get in much sleep. I try to put time aside but there is always stuff to do or the conditions don't allow you to so I really couldn't tell you how much sleep I've had."
The solo skipper is helming the newest boat in the fleet and admits her learning curve knows few bounds.
"I'm finding it's sometimes hard to get the boat going. She's a brand new boat and she should be performing better than she is and I'm struggling to get her to do that. I'm still learning my way round the boat as I haven't done many miles in her. We need to do more work on calibrating the instruments and checking the settings. Sometimes she is going really well and other times she's not but we still need to find out what the differences are and why. I didn't expect to get it right at the first shot but we should be doing better."
Dee Caffari's latest diary entry received on 20 May:
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"Right now the focus has to be on the ice gate that we are trying hard to pass. The leaders have crossed this obstacle and are now fighting to the finish. It does seem that no matter how far across the Atlantic we come America never seems to get closer.
"From the ice gate we have the final push for home in the last 1000 miles. This area is known for fog, shipping, fishing and horrible sea conditions, as the topography in this area is very changeable. So while I can and we have pretty straightforward sailing I need to ensure I rest when possible.
Monday despite being relatively light at the end of the day was wonderful sailing in sunshine and the waves dispersed to leave a swell that was much more comfortable. Another retirement announced was Unai. It is sad to see him stop racing and has left it pretty lonely back here now so I told Aviva she had better speed up and join the others."
Dee and Aviva
Aviva Ocean Racing Summary
In May 2006 Dee Caffari set a world record by becoming the first woman to sail solo, non-stop around the world against the prevailing winds and currents. The inspirational yachtswoman's next ambition is to complete the Vendée Globe 2008/09 and become the first woman to sail solo non-stop around the world in both directions.
Further information on Dee Caffari and her Aviva Ocean Racing campaign can be found at www.avivaoceanracing.com
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Kelly Russell, Mbl +44 (0)7786 516570, Tel: +44 (0)20 7202 2862,
e-mail: kellyr@karen-earl.co.uk
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