Day 30 in the Vendee Globe will hold a few new surprises for Dee Caffari on Aviva as she heads deeper and deeper into the icy wilderness of the Southern Ocean.
Day 30 in the Vendee Globe will hold a few new surprises for Dee Caffari on Aviva as she heads deeper and deeper into the icy wilderness of the Southern Ocean.
Every 10 days she opens a new food bag containing her favourite noodle dishes plus a collection of cards and presents that were secretly stashed on board by her shore crew.
"Yesterday I opened a card from one of the kids. It was a picture of a McDonalds meal with great big letters that said "SEE WHAT YOU ARE MISSING!"
"Gee thanks, I thought but they really make my laugh so I wonder what food bag number four will bring. I'm really looking forward to opening it."
These surprises are designed to ease the burden of racing full pelt through some of the most treacherous waters on the planet. Dee has been in the Southern Ocean twice before but passing the Cape of Good Hope in 2006, when she became the first woman to sail solo non stop around the world against prevailing winds and tides, meant she had served her time alone in the frozen south. This time, it marks the start of a few long weeks of ice-cold torment though at least, she says, she is not on her own.
"It's like the M25 down here. There's loads of us almost bumper to bumper - well that is how it feels compared to last time when I didn't see hide nor hair of anyone.
"Four days before I reached the Cape of Good Hope last time I changed my headsail back up to my big one and it just got warmer and warmer and it was the best thing ever. This time, it is getting colder and colder and I'm thinking ‘oh my god'.
"Last night was the first time I felt really cold but I just thought ‘Here we go'. My hands were numb but I just got another layer out then made a cup of tea and hugged the kettle. I have a few layers on now but last night I was lying there and my nose was freezing cold.
"I have a heater but it runs on diesel and until I am confident I have enough diesel to get round, I can't use it. I need to be at least half way round and I need to know that my generator is OK because if that packs up I have to use my engine which uses more fuel and if that happens, I will be right on the limit with fuel so all the time I am having to do my sums. I won't be able to use it until after I get passed Australia and New Zealand."
Dee has deliberately chosen to stay north of the rest of the fleet where she has been continuing to enjoy some high speeds, registering Aviva's highest speed to date, a record of 28 knots.
"Last night we had some really big surf and the boat was just like a rocket, ploughing into walls of water. It was mental. It has eased a little but every time you decide it is time to do a sail change, you pick up a wave and off you go at 22 knots again so you put off the sail change thinking I don't need to rush this.
"I will probably doze a bit more this morning while the wind is consistent and before it all dies and I have to change all the sails again. We are on a southwards gybe and when the new pressure comes in, we will gybe and head north again. One of the ice reports showed an iceberg really close to the ice gate so I would much rather stay up here rather than push my luck down south. I am done with ice. Last time round I saw enough ice to sink a battleship."
"I clawed back a few miles though I couldn't stay level with the guys moving south so I think I will lose out to them. But I'm still with them and I'm happy that I'm consistently in the same place, which is good."
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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