Dee Caffari’s first Vendée Globe is throwing up a few surprises for the record breaking solo yachtswoman. Having spent six months bashing uncomfortably upwind when she became the first woman to sail solo around the world against prevailing winds and currents in 2006, Caffari was not expecting more of the same in the Vendée Globe.
Dee Caffari's first Vendée Globe is throwing up a few surprises for the record breaking solo yachtswoman. Having spent six months bashing uncomfortably upwind when she became the first woman to sail solo around the world against prevailing winds and currents in 2006, Caffari was not expecting more of the same in the Vendée Globe. She is back to the familiar crashing and heeling, slamming and dunking. To her surprise Caffari is drawing on her experience of upwind sailing more than she had anticipated.
"This is not what the brochure promised - I've been done!" joked Caffari who is currently lying in 14th place as the fleet charges south in upwind conditions which are in stark contrast to the downwind sailing that skippers normally encounter in the South Atlantic.
"I did this for six months and it sucks. And now I'm in a boat that really doesn't like these conditions. I am probably less affected by it because of the Aviva Challenge but the difference this time is the noise. These Open 60 boats are very noisy upwind. I was sold the exciting downwind ride but here I am going upwind again. I've been sold a duff!
"It's pretty uncomfortable - very wet on deck but still hot and sunny. It is hard to do stuff so its not easy living and it's quite stressful. The waves are quite sharp and steep and everything jars when the boat crashes. The load is all on one side but there is no option to change anything because the other tack would be horrendous.
"I am spending my time trimming, putting ballast in or out, or taking reefs out and putting them back in or looking at the weather or doing emails or checking my bilges. It seems ridiculous that there is so much to do."
While she makes her way through the trade wind belt, she is looking ahead and weighing up her options for the St Helena High pressure which lies between the fleet and the Cape of Good Hope.
"The St Helena High is a few days off for me but obviously I am looking at my options. If I go round it, I could find myself in Brazil and I don't fancy that so I might have to bite the bullet and go through it even though it could mean stopping - but hopefully we can get to the other side and go for it.
"It will be interesting to watch the others and see what their strategy is but I think we will just stay on the wind and go for the crossing at some stage and come out the other side.
"I think there will be quite a few losses and gains over the next few days but I'm really hoping I can stay in the running.
"The wind is currently anything from 10-42 knots. It's not too tiring but it is wearing because you want the boat to flatten out, to walk around the boat without having to hang on and go to the toilet like a normal person!"
Dee Caffari spent much of yesterday chasing rainbows in the mid-Atlantic as Aviva chases the leading pack of the Vendée Globe fleet. The 10am ranking showed that Jérémie Beyou onboard Delta Dore is making good progress towards Brazil where he will try to repair the boats damaged deck spreaders. His detour has lead to a ranking re-shuffle as Caffari moves up into 14th position. The fleet is still lead by Frenchman Loïck Peyron onboard Gitana Eighty.
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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