British solo yachtswoman Dee Caffari, currently in 15th place in the Vendée Globe round-the-world race, yesterday discovered her left knee was badly swollen and required some immediate medical attention.
British solo yachtswoman Dee Caffari, currently in 15th place in the Vendée Globe round-the-world race, yesterday discovered her left knee was badly swollen and required some immediate medical attention. Caffari was taking the opportunity to have a final wash before heading into the extreme conditions that lie ahead in the Southern Ocean when she noticed that her knee was red and inflamed.
Caffari picked up the phone to call Dr Spike Briggs, part of her shore based medical support team, and sent back images of her inflamed knee to have a virtual consultation. Dr Briggs diagnosed the solo skipper with a knee infection caused by an inflammation in front of the knee. Injury of this kind is a common problem amongst solo sailors as they crawl on their hands and knees around in the cramped conditions below deck of their ocean racing boats and Caffari has experienced similar problems on previous voyages as the constant banging and crashing takes its toll on her body.
Dr Briggs has prescribed some of the strongest antibiotics in Caffari's onboard medical kit and recommended she rest and ice the knee as soon as possible. Fortunately for Caffari the weather conditions have been on her side and yesterday she was able to rest amid relatively flat waters.
She reported from onboard Aviva: "Ideally I need to rest, elevate and ice the knee but we need to be realistic in this environment. The good thing about sailing downwind is it's easier to live on your feet and not your knees and I had chance today in the lighter airs to rest my leg. What a good patient I am!"
Caffari is known for her determination and resilience, which she developed in her record breaking Aviva Challenge voyage around the world against the prevailing winds and currents. However the solo skipper commented before the start of the race her biggest fear was personal injury or illness preventing her from finishing. The risk of injury is always high for any sportsman but with safety always a priority in solo offshore racing all injuries have the ability to have a major impact.
Caffari added: "This is the type of thing that blood poisoning comes from. If it is blood poisoning then I can't go on because if is spreads then it's a massive risk."
As the Southern Ocean approaches for Caffari, Andrew Roberts, Aviva Ocean Racing campaign director, commented on the situation: "Dee has consulted with Dr Spike Briggs and she is going to be monitoring her knee over the next few days, sending regular updates back every 12 hours. The antibiotic takes around 48 hours to kick in so we're going to be in regular communication with Dee throughout this time. With the Southern Ocean approaching we'll make sure that Dee is confident her knee is better and she is prepared for the next stage of the race."
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
Images: www.avivaoceanracing.com/images
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