As the Vendée Globe fleet head into their fifth day at sea and make steady progress south towards the island of Madeira, the two British women in the race, Dee Caffari onboard Aviva and Samantha Davies on Roxy, took time out for a cup of tea and a catch up.
As the Vendée Globe fleet head into their fifth day at sea and make steady progress south towards the island of Madeira, the two British women in the race, Dee Caffari onboard Aviva and Samantha Davies on Roxy, took time out for a cup of tea and a catch up.
The only two women in the fleet spent the first few days sailing in close proximity to each other and took the opportunity to speak on their VHF radios. The severe weather conditions in the first few days of the race left all the skippers exhausted and the two girls took solace in each other's company as they discussed their recent experiences over the radio.
In true British fashion the pair brewed a well earned cup of tea before chatting away as they raced their Open 60 yachts in the Portuguese trade winds and reflected on the events of the race so far.
The 10H00 race ranking showed that Caffari was in 13th position 114 miles behind race leader Loïck Peyron onboard Gitana Eighty.
Dee Caffari's latest diary entry received 12 November 2008 at 7.50pm:
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"I have just literally crossed gybes with Samantha on Roxy. We chatted on the VHF and agreed that it has been great being close enough every other day or so to chat together and to realise that we are not alone out here in this massive ocean. It was a great morale boost the other day to chat after the first 48 hours and that first cup of tea suggested by Sam was wonderful.
"Even just sharing how we are feeling helps and that some decent sleep really helps recovery physically and mentally. We all know this but to hear it from someone else doing the same seems to hit the nail on the head.
"Today I had some time for housework. With my bucket in hand I mopped any areas with water and generally tidied up. I have been making a real effort on eating some of the fresh food that was stocked onboard before it gets too hot and it goes off. I am hoping now we are away from heavy traffic and shipping lanes and with the weather to remain quite consistent I can try for some quality sleep time too. I am a bit of an owl and find it difficult to sleep early evening so I shall enjoy the breaks of moonlight from between the broken cloud before I manage some shut eye in the early hours."
Dee and Aviva
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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