The battle to stay in the top ten is well and truly on, as little than 45 miles separates 10th to 12th position in the Vendée Globe round the world yacht race.
The battle to stay in the top ten is well and truly on, as little than 45 miles separates 10th to 12th position in the Vendée Globe round the world yacht race. British yachtswoman Dee Caffari and her Open 60 Aviva are holding on to 10th place by just three miles as Brian Thompson regains lost miles due to repairs. The two Brits also have Frenchman Arnaud Boissieres hot on their heels just 40 miles behind.
The current upwind conditions are an unwelcome change for the skippers whose boats are designed for fast downwind sailing. However, the change is pace has allowed Caffari to make some simple repairs to her mainsail and complete some much general housekeeping.
Dee's latest diary received on Saturday 27 December at 6.15pm GMT:
"A glorious day sailing, in blue sky and sunshine. Light airs meant for a slow pace but the ability to live onboard rather than survive for a change. It was lovely. I did lots of the maintenance jobs that needed doing but were too tricky in the conditions we had been sailing in. I also slept and ate well so I feel recharged as the weather is returning to the wet windy stuff again for a few days.
"Having enjoyed some nice sailing I was blown away to hear of the recent problems in the fleet and especially the scary time JoJo [Sebastien Josse] must have had. I think it is the first bad weather the front runners have had down here and I just hope the repairs on BT are simple enough and JoJo has his confidence to get going again. He has been having a remarkable race so far.
"As light broke today for Aviva I found myself in a blanket of fog with very limited visibility, but no sooner had I put the reef in the mainsail the sky had cleared and I could see the wall of cloud / fog roll away to the south. It was very bizarre.
"Now however I am sailing upwind and I can tell you living at an angle takes some getting used to after sailing downwind for so long, and to think I did this for months last time!!"
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
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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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