British yachtswoman Dee Caffari had a flying start to her first Vendée Globe round the world yacht race.
British yachtswoman Dee Caffari had a flying start to her first Vendée Globe round the world yacht race. The weather conditions were challenging but Caffari produced the best start of her Aviva Ocean Racing campaign. As the hours passed the solo skipper maintained a strong position in the leading pack of French yachtsmen as the fleet faced headwinds of 20-30 knots and four-six metre seas.
The early morning race ranking showed Caffari as the leading Brit in the fleet in 11th position closely followed by Alex Thomson onboard Hugo Boss. The drama of this 27,000 mile race unfolded with two boats (Dominique Wavre's Tenemos II and Bernard Stamms Cheminées Poujoulat) forced to return within 24 hours.
Before Caffari departed Les Sables d'Olonne she was aware this marathon circumnavigation of the globe would be a war of attrition but with a successful start it was apparent that Caffari was loving every minute of her Vendée debut.
Harry Spedding, Aviva Ocean Racing campaign manager said: "Dee had a brilliant start, we could see from our position on the RIB that she was really comfortable with the boat. For her to be alongside sailing legend Vincent Riou in the opening stages of the race will have been a dream come true. The whole shore team are buzzing with excitement and pride. However, we know this is just the beginning of a very long three months of racing."
Aviva Ocean Racing summary
Record-breaking British yachtswoman Dee Caffari, sailed into the record books in May 2006 by becoming the first woman to sail solo, non-stop around the world against the prevailing winds and currents, is attempting her next "world first" by competing in the Vendée Globe yacht race. Caffari aims to become the first woman to sail solo and non-stop both ways around the world.
Further information on Dee Caffari and her Aviva Ocean Racing campaign can be found at www.avivaoceanracing.com.
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For further information and interview requests contact:
Caroline Ayling
Mobile: +44 (0) 7801 351950
E-mail: caroline.ayling@synergy-sponsorship.com
Kelly Russell
Mobile: +44 (0)7786 516570
E-mail: Kelly.russell@synergy-sponsorship.com
Website: www.avivaoceanracing.com
Images: www.avivaoceanracing.com/images
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