British solo skipper Dee Caffari has faced another infuriating night at sea. Plagued by light winds Caffari has progressed slowly towards the finish line of the Artemis Transat. She has covered just under 100 miles over the last 24 hours.
British solo skipper Dee Caffari has faced another infuriating night at sea. Plagued by light winds Caffari has progressed slowly towards the finish line of the Artemis Transat. She has covered just under 100 miles over the last 24 hours.
The frustrations are mounting for Caffari whose Open 60 Aviva was stopped dead in the windless conditions. However, the forecast is for stronger winds that will bring Caffari towards the finish line in Boston.
Dee Caffari's latest diary entry received on 26 May:
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"Having spent the day before and the night blanketed in fog and becalmed I was pleased when the sun rose into a clear sky and I had some movement and in the direction of Boston.
"When the positions came in this morning I also saw that the others were not let off entirely from the no wind fortunes that I had endured. There was some mileage between us but not as much as if they had been sailing all night. Relieved I collected the weather and trimmed the boat to make the best of the wind. The weather looked like it would stay all day and then increase, so we would tack and then go through strong SW winds on the way into Boston.
"The reality was just as I thought for most of the day until the wind started to die at the end of the evening. Again becalmed but this time without the fog Aviva was dead in the water again. Glassy seas surrounded us, a cold air temperature and clear blue skies with only the odd cloud above delivered us no wind.
"Gone was the option to go anywhere to seek wind, as I had no boat speed for the second time in as many days. I'm not sure how much more I can take of this. Again it was just after the final position report of the day that had the others all sailing good speeds towards Boston."
Dee and Aviva
-ends-
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Notes to editors:
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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