Solo yachtswoman Dee Caffari is revelling in the closing stages of the Vendée Globe yacht race. As Michel Desjoyeaux is making 15 knots towards the finish line only 610 miles away, Caffari reports her "best sailing of the whole race".
Solo yachtswoman Dee Caffari is revelling in the closing stages of the Vendée Globe yacht race. As Michel Desjoyeaux is making 15 knots towards the finish line only 610 miles away, Caffari reports her "best sailing of the whole race".
Currently around 200 miles from the Equator, Caffari is chasing down Brian Thompson who is now only 120 miles ahead. The race for fourth position is a hot contest between the top three British skippers (Davies, Thompson and Caffari) and Frenchman Marc Guillemot, with only 330 miles separating the four skippers.
Dee Caffari's latest diary entry received on Thursday 29 January at 6.20pm GMT:
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"Last night was probably some of the best sailing of the whole race. The sky was covered with a blanket of stars that touched the surface of the water. The wind strengthened enough for me to put a reef in and then just a couple of hours later I shook it out again. I was then in fear of it being like that all night where there would be no rest and constant changes, but I was wrong. The wind then steadied out and Aviva was sailing easily in the right direction and happy to be heading ever closer to our date with Neptune.
"This morning was a different story. I celebrated a great nights sailing with my favourite breakfast, porridge and strawberries made before the sun comes up so it is not too hot to boil the kettle and then saw a squall coming.
"The squall came and washed Aviva clean then as it left the wind changed direction and stayed there forcing me towards Brazil. Although I never lost the wind I was for most of the morning not able to sail in the direction of choice. I felt restless for the morning, not happy to be heading west of north and then thankfully my patience paid off and the wind lifted this afternoon to allow me to make a good course once again."
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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