With the fleet 13 days in to the Vendée Globe round the world yacht race, Dee Caffari, on board Aviva, has now entered the Doldrums for the seventh time in her career.
With the fleet 13 days in to the Vendée Globe round the world yacht race, Dee Caffari, on board Aviva, has now entered the Doldrums for the seventh time in her career.
Despite strong wind and heavy clouds, Caffari remains positive as she waits for what this notoriously unpredictable zone will present over the next few days.
Michel Desjoyeaux was putting on the pressure overnight as he chased Caffari down on Foncia, eventually taking the lead to lie some 15 miles ahead in 15th position at the 10am race ranking. The top 10 boats, led by Loïck Peyron on Gitana, have crossed he equator and are now in the Southern Hemisphere.
Dee Caffari's latest diary entry received Friday 21 November, 10.45pm GMT:
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"What a day, so it continues and so I shall keep this short. With Foncia breathing down my neck I have been really trying to keep the pace on. All was well while we were in clear skies with an easterly breeze, then we entered the Doldrums.
"The first black cloud, I laughed at as it barely washed the deck. In fact all it did was make the Sahara Dust run like mud. Then I entered the daddy of all clouds and ended up seeing 30 knots and after a variety of directions it came from the west. My course now was all over the place as I could only sail in what I was in and the clouds were giving localised effects. The clouds would pick me up and spit me out in no wind calm patches. Getting wet every so often was good as it was really hot but there was so much to do washing was not an option, still a fresh water rinse is as good in my book!
"Now it is dark and the fun has vanished. There is no moon and no indication of the clouds. The radar shows you the worst of the cloud but as you sail you are just waiting and feeling for what is going to happen next. I am writing this as I saw a clear patch ahead and I also just had to get out of my wet clothes as I was starting get cold.
"Let's see what the next 24 hours brings?"
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 attempting her next "world first" by competing in the Vendee 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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Website: http://www.avivaoceanracing.com/
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