Dee Caffari has been enjoying good conditions onboard Aviva allowing her to catch up on food and sleep whilst chasing down Arnaud Boissières on Akena Vérandas. The 10am race positioning showed Caffari had reduced her long term race rival’s lead to just two miles.
Dee Caffari has been enjoying good conditions onboard Aviva allowing her to catch up on food and sleep whilst chasing down Arnaud Boissières on Akena Vérandas. The 10am race positioning showed Caffari had reduced her long term race rival's lead to just two miles.
Over the past month significant damage has been sustained to Aviva's mainsail and Caffari is in contact with the Aviva Ocean Racing shore team to discuss the options for repair. Wind speeds are expected to drop in the next 72 hours and it is likely that Caffari will use this opportunity to carry out the necessary repairs whilst minimising the number of miles that will inevitably be lost.
Dee Caffari is currently in eighth place in the Vendée Globe fleet.
Dee Caffari's latest diary entry received on Sunday 18 January at 6.30pm GMT:
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"A beautiful night with clear skies, stars and a moon gave some good sailing. Fortunately the wind has been consistent and is allowing us some direct sailing, making good ground north.
"A sign of being back in the Atlantic was seeing two large offshore fishing trawlers last night. I have not seen another vessel since heading south in the Atlantic apart from Pindar and Akena, so it was quite exciting to see life. They were trawling with a stream of thousands of birds following them. It was quite a sight.
"Sunday really has lived up to being a day of rest. I had a lie in, then a hearty breakfast and then have been chilling out in a horizontal position for most of the day. Sponged a bit of water chucked on deck a couple of times but generally I have not done a great deal and Aviva has done her best at looking after me. She has been sailing well and fast and we have enjoyed the afternoon blue skies with a cup of tea."
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
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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