Light airs could not come soon enough for British yachtswoman Dee Caffari whose Open 60 yacht Aviva has suffered yet more wear and tear in the deep South Atlantic.
Light airs could not come soon enough for British yachtswoman Dee Caffari whose Open 60 yacht Aviva has suffered yet more wear and tear in the deep South Atlantic. Throughout yesterday Caffari waited for calmer conditions to repair a damaged tack fitting to her staysail and replace a spinlock jammer (used to stop the tack line moving) that had been "ripped clean off the deck".
The problem occurred at 3am (GMT) on Saturday morning but Caffari was well aware she had to wait until daylight hours and flatter waters in order to safely carry out the repair despite waves crashing over the foredeck.
Harry Spedding, Aviva Ocean Racing campaign manager, reported this morning: "The violent motion that the fleet have been through over last week has seen a lot of shock loading resulting in the problem Dee has had to deal with over the last 36 hours. Dee's ability to manage the repair meant the problem did not escalate and she is now driving forward and preparing the boat for the Southern Ocean."
Caffari maintains her 15th position in the fleet that will soon head into the Southern Ocean and the notorious "roaring 40s". Front runner Sebastien Josse has a marginal eight-mile lead over Loick Peyron and with six boats hot on their heels the next stage of this race will be gripping to watch.
Dee Caffari's latest diary entry received on Saturday 29 November at 5.30pm:
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"The wear and tear of being on a port tack with 25 knots of wind or more for a few days has not only taken its toll on me, but also now Aviva.
"Last night at about 3am in the dark a loud bang was heard amongst the carbon groans and crashes into walls of water and rig jarring shakes that I was getting used to. I shone my torch around the deck and saw that the staysail was at a strange angle and thought the tack line had blown. A simple repair, but a pain of a job. Unfortunately as I bore away to reduce the load on the staysail I saw what had really happened. The tack fitting had blown and as the line was released it ripped the spinlock jammer clean off the deck. Now I knew I had some issues.
"The conditions at the time, once I had cleared the sail away and seen the extent of the damage, meant that I spent the next four hours of darkness under mainsail alone as the conditions were not conducive to anything else and I was cream crackered.
"Once I had a sleep and daylight had arrived I put in place a lashing so I could continue sailing and then assess how to repair the damage with Joff. After a conversation, Joff had all the answers and I just had to implement them, which is easier said than done. For one thing I needed the wind and conditions to ease otherwise everything was impossible.
"Slowly over the course of the afternoon I have done a little at a time and have succeeded thus far. I am pleased to see the wind abate and wish the sea state would do the same. Where as normally I would relish the sail changes early to keep pace as we enter the light airs ahead I am now looking forward to getting some time with Aviva for a thorough check and working through my jobs list to ensure I am ready for the South."
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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