Despite fatigue from an exhausting forty-eight hours, Dee Caffari has successfully closed the gap between Aviva and Akena Vérandas, skippered by long term race rival Arnaud Boissières.
Despite fatigue from an exhausting forty-eight hours, Dee Caffari has successfully closed the gap between Aviva and Akena Vérandas, skippered by long term race rival Arnaud Boissières.
Shortly after the 10am polling, which placed her just one mile behind Boissières, an excited Caffari called her shore team with the news that she had Akena in her sightline. This is the first time that Caffari has seen any of the other Open 60 yachts in the Vendée Globe fleet and is quite unusual in ocean racing.
Caffari is expected to overtake Boissières later today, in addition to passing through the 10th, and final, ice gate on her way to Cape Horn.
Dee Caffari's latest diary entry received Thursday 8 January, 6.30pm GMT:
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"I am tired today. I guess as a result of yesterday. Working on the mainsail and then within just a few hours having to gybe and then add reefs kept me busy and today I am showing the signs of fatigue. I want to claim my position back from Akena but we are both in the same weather, doing the same thing, heading to the same place so it will be difficult.
"Last night was awesome. For the first time in a long time I saw the moon and some stars. It was beautiful. A bright full moon and a clear patch of sky meant it never really got very dark. I forgot how much you miss things like that as it has been so long since I saw them.
"Still, it is not long to the final gate and then I can make my approach to the third and final Great Cape, which will mark my exit from the South. This will be a little strange as it will be my third rounding and on all my previous experiences it has signalled the start of my Southern Ocean epic. Now I think it will hold even more importance as it will mark the end of what has been a tough period of sailing."
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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