British solo yachtswoman Dee Caffari is making steady progress in the Vendée Globe and at 48° south she is certainly feeling the cold. Her latest diary reports that she had an "unsettled" feeling throughout yesterday and was devastated to hear that Loïck Peyron's Gitana Eighty was dismasted in 30 knots.
British solo yachtswoman Dee Caffari is making steady progress in the Vendée Globe and at 48° south she is certainly feeling the cold. Her latest diary reports that she had an "unsettled" feeling throughout yesterday and was devastated to hear that Loïck Peyron's Gitana Eighty was dismasted in 30 knots. Peyron is a sailing hero to Caffari who often refers to the former race favourite as the "Jedi Master".
Overnight Caffari has maintained her 25 mile lead over Arnaud Boissières onboard Akena Verandas. At the front of the fleet the top five skippers are all within 40 miles of the lead as the race across the Southern Ocean continues.
Dee Caffari's latest diary entry received on Wednesday 10 December at 7.15pm GMT:
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"Brr...Brr!! Yes it is that cold. This will be short as I have to take my gloves off to type!
"I gybed today in pleasant conditions and then spent another 40 minutes moving everything below deck which did help warm me up. It feels strange when you first gybe as it doesn't feel quite right leaning to the other side but you do soon get used to it.
"I was pleased to head back east again rather than the steady south east course of last night as the sea temperature was at 3 degrees and there was something spooky about today. I just felt unsettled. I couldn't tell you what it was but I constantly kept looking out and then going on deck to check around both onboard Aviva and around in the sea. I then heard the terrible news about Gitana. I am devastated for the Jedi Master and to think he was only up the mast yesterday. It makes my stomach turn to think about it.
"Aviva is going well and doing a sterling job. Tonight we will be passing south of Prince Edward Island and Marion Island."
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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Website: www.avivaoceanracing.com
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