Christmas delivered for Dee Caffari yesterday as the record breaking British yachtswoman broke into the top 10 of the Vendee Globe fleet for the first time.
Christmas delivered for Dee Caffari yesterday as the record breaking British yachtswoman broke into the top 10 of the Vendee Globe fleet for the first time. During yesterday's festivities Caffari was sailing hard and Aviva overtook fellow Brit Brian Thompson onboard Bahrain Team Pindar as she recorded the fastest 24 hour run in the fleet - over 389 miles. Her average speed reached over 15 knots as she became the fastest boat of the remaining 18 competitors in the race.
This is Caffari's debut Vendee Globe and the first time that she has entered the top 10, an unbelievable achievement for the solo skipper who is obviously revelling in the sunny Southern Ocean conditions. Helped by some morale boosting Christmas presents and speaking with her friends and family, Caffari is now heading towards the New Zealand ice gate and will look to capitalise on her new position.
Dee's latest diary received on Thursday 25 December at 6.45pm GMT:
"Somebody was smiling at me for today as the sun shone, the sky was blue even the sea was blue and a steady 20 knots allowed Christmas Day to be enjoyable down here. I gybed at midnight, stacked the boat then opened my presents and prepared my freeze-dried Christmas Dinner.
"Well what more can a girl ask for? Clean knickers, chocolate and smellies. After a good baby wipe session I put on my Christmas knickers, changed my base layer and felt like a new woman. The smellies will have to wait until I am in the Atlantic again and the water is warm enough for them to be used! My Christmas dinner was absolutely delicious. I was surprised and then after devouring it disappointed to know that it was a one off from the company, Fuzion. I shall definitely be talking to them when I get back as I was so impressed and recommend it for all those that spent ages preparing the dinner at home and then had relentless amounts of washing up to do. This is real food in a packet, boil the kettle, add hot water, stir and wait ten minutes and magic. The only washing is a spoon as the packet goes in the bin! No wonder I get sent to sea for Christmas!!
"I did spend time speaking to friends and family and it was great to know they were all well, For my family, they couldn't believe how far I had come in a short space of time as during the Aviva Challenge I spent Christmas between the Falkland Islands and Cape Horn and was yet to enter the Southern Ocean.
"So the day finished with a chat on the VHF. The last time the VHF heard voices was in the Atlantic and yet here was Brian Thompson calling me. I answered and then realised that he was about a mile and a half to leeward of me. It was a real treat for Christmas to have sailed all these thousands of miles and be alongside another boat talking to someone that I could almost see. He had just finished tackling his repairs and done a fantastic job so he was ready to tidy up and get sailing again. He was still to sleep and do his Christmas thing so I wished him well and was grateful to be so close to someone at this time despite being solo racing.
"Happy Christmas to all."
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
Website: www.avivaoceanracing.com
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