As French solo skipper Loick Peyron sailed victoriously into Boston, Dee Caffari recorded an average overnight speed of only five knots in what is proving to be an exhausting and frustrating later stage of the race for the British round the world yachtswoman on Aviva.
As French solo skipper Loick Peyron sailed victoriously into Boston, Dee Caffari recorded an average overnight speed of only five knots in what is proving to be an exhausting and frustrating later stage of the race for the British round the world yachtswoman on Aviva.
With light winds predicted for the next 24 hours, Dee will be aiming to stay with the pack and prevent herself from losing any distance to the boats in front as she heads toward the finish of the Artemis Transat.
Dee Caffari's latest diary entry received on 24 May:
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"Pants! Really Big Pants!...
"Yesterday and last night were awful. I had inconsistent breeze so I could never set the boat up and leave her for more than a few minutes. I got myself sat in adverse current that killed my boat speed and then sat with no wind for several hours under rain clouds while those that I had worked so hard to catch up had continued to sail away from me.
"Just to really finish off what was already bad, when I did eventually find the weather that the grib files were talking about I was caught with too much sail and spent a manic hour getting everything back under control again.
"This has now only lengthened my sail to Boston but because I am physically and mentally tired now it is so easy to make a mistake. I just need to be careful and get to Boston...now where are the others?..."
Dee and Aviva
-ends-
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Caroline Ayling
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Kelly Russell
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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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