Yesterday British solo yachtswoman Dee Caffari had to make an unexpected repair when a mainsheet block exploded onboard her racing yacht Aviva.
Yesterday British solo yachtswoman Dee Caffari had to make an unexpected repair when a mainsheet block exploded onboard her racing yacht Aviva. Breakages like this are not unexpected by Open 60 skippers due to the extreme pressure and strain they subject their boats to for days on end, particularly at this stage of the race when the race yachts are at their most loaded.
Caffari easily managed the repair but first had to drop Aviva's 150-kilo mainsail and lash a new block in place. She then had the tiring task of re-hoisting the mainsail (the same weight as a baby elephant) obviously not one of Caffari's favourite past-times! She was cheered-up shortly afterwards by a surprise phone call from fellow British skippers Jonny Malbon and Brian Thompson.
The Brit Pack, hailed the "magnificent seven" by the UK media before the race started, is sadly down to six after Alex Thomson's Hugo Boss was forced to retire from the race but camaraderie is still high amongst the British skippers. Yesterday, Caffari spoke to Malbon and Thompson about the race and their experiences, spirits were restored as Thompson admitted he could really do with a gin and tonic!
Leading the way for the Brits is former fireman Mike Golding onboard Ecover 3 currently in 6th place and just 63 miles from the leader Loïck Peyron. Brian Thompson is lying in 11th, Sam Davies in 13th, Caffari in 15th, Steve White in 17th and Jonny Malbon in 19th place.
Dee Caffari's latest diary entry received on Tuesday 25 November at 9pm:
"I have had a mixed bag today. We began the day wonderfully with the sky clearing and the wind easing, so out came the reef. Not long after the reef went back in again for a much better course. We were happily able to make south today so we were sailing fat and fast, which was proving to be a wet and wild ride.
"I had a few media interviews to do and once that had finished I was sat on my beanbag under the cuddy when there was a bang. I immediately looked up, maybe as an automatic response. I then looked aft and saw one of my mainsheet blocks had exploded and disappeared. I quickly dropped the main and found the right spares box, lashed a new block in place once confirmed with Joff, and hoisted away again. The re hoist was not pleasant especially now we are a few hours after and I am already back with a reefed main sail again!
"Just as I was feeling sorry for myself, wondering if I could take this pace and non-stop pressure for the rest of the course, my phone rang. I assumed it was Joff checking all was okay and was surprised to hear Jonny's voice from Artemis. It was great to catch up and I was really pleased to speak to him. He told me about his doldrums and how yesterday he spent fixing things, I told him about my mainsail and having to hoist it again and we sympathised with each other. It was great therapy and we both agreed to stay in touch more often. I need to get a glimpse of his beard, he has yet to shave and I hope he goes the whole race without any razor action, as it will be a great sight.
"Just like buses, there are either none or two come at once, and the next call was from Brian on Pindar Kingdom of Bahrain. He was sounding cool as a cucumber and I asked if he was still at supersonic speed and he told me no, just semi sonic speed. So he is human after all! We both commented on the intensity of the racing. It is impressive to say the least.
"It was great to feel the British spirit and we decided that we would all support each other more often, like group therapy on the iridium, or rather like cocktail hour and Brian said his would be a gin and tonic."
Dee and Aviva
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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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