The champagne moment of Dee Caffari and Aviva’s dream start to her first Vendée Globe is now fading after the solo skipper was served a reality check in her second week of racing with a bout of indecision and self doubt.
The champagne moment of Dee Caffari and Aviva's dream start to her first Vendée Globe is now fading after the solo skipper was served a reality check in her second week of racing with a bout of indecision and self doubt.
From being in the front pack of the Vendée Globe, Caffari has dropped back to 16th place and is discovering why this race is regarded as the ultimate challenge for round the world sailors. At the moment, she admits candidly, dealing with each worsening position report is really testing her.
"I am fed up with where I am and what I am doing. I can't see a way to get me where I want to be and I'm playing catch up all the time. It's grey. I haven't seen much, I haven't seen anyone so I'm struggling to sound excited.
"I started so well and within a week I have lost it so quickly so it's very frustrating," she said this morning.
"I started at the top and I suppose there was only one way to go. I really believed at the start that I could do it but as soon as these islands [Cape Verde] got in the way and they required a long-term strategy. That is where I don't really have the experience and it shows."
Over the next 24 hours, Dee will gybe and head west around the Cape Verde Islands but she knows this will slow her down more.
"The winds have been really light so I have had to work hard at keeping the boat moving and the breeze has been shifty and I've been quite indecisive about the right sail plan and the right gybe. I know I need to go west at some point in the next 24 hours and take the hit but I have to do it eventually.
"I've made some silly mistakes in going for short term gain over a long term strategy. When Sam Davies and I cross gybed, things for me looked really rosy while she took a hit on her position but ever since, she has looked very rosy. I should have followed her lead and headed west when I could.
"Now it's going to take a long time to catch up but I have the South Atlantic to catch them up. If you lose touch with everyone in the south, it is really hard. I will make some gains while the others are entering into the Doldrums and hopefully I will have a good Doldrums but who knows. It's all a bit of a lottery. I'm trying not to look at the position reports too closely."
The arrival of the dreaded flying fish are not making life any easier onboard Aviva which Dee says is now "minging".
"I could hear them landing last night and then they sort of freak out and try and flick themselves back into the water which is really noisy on a carbon boat. I went up on deck last night in trepidation with my torch and there they all were piled up. Every time I gybe the boat, I stink of fish because the fish get tangled up with all the lines.
"They are minging and it's horrible. I have to get my dust pan and flick them over the side but they are with me for a while longer, I swear they get bigger in the southern hemisphere!"
Aviva Ocean Racing summary
Record-breaking British yachtswoman Dee Caffari, who 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 attempt her next "world first" by competing in the Vendée Globe yacht race. Caffari is attempting 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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