Dee Caffari yesterday took advantage of the lighter airs she and Aviva are currently experiencing in the South Atlantic to make the much needed repairs to her tattered mainsail.
Dee Caffari yesterday took advantage of the lighter airs she and Aviva are currently experiencing in the South Atlantic to make the much needed repairs to her tattered mainsail.
The solo skipper tackled the repairs using a 6m x 4m section of her Code 5 sail that she had prepared earlier. Then using all of her guile and a variety of different adhesives onboard she managed to patch up her "string vest" mainsail. The Brit even went so far as to try the "body" staples from her medical kit but sadly these were to no avail. As Caffari hoisted the main, after three laborious hours, the repairs were already beginning to show signs of peeling away.
Despite this the resilient Caffari now sails with a full main and is waiting to gybe before starting the whole process again on the other side of the sail. The "saga of the mainsail" will no doubt continue for Caffari as she aims to complete the Vendée Globe and become the first woman to sail solo, non-stop both ways around the world but, for now, morale is high onboard Aviva.
Dee Caffari is currently in seventh position 30 miles behind fellow Brit Brian Thompson on Bahrain Team Pindar and 125 miles ahead of Frenchman Arnaud Boissieres.
Dee Caffari's latest diary entry received on Wednesday 21 January at 6.45pm GMT:
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"Well I tried and it took me ages, so you can imagine my disappointment when it kind of failed. Yes, just for a change I am talking about my mainsail.
"The wind was forecast to go light and I knew this would be my opportunity. I was nervous as I had gained so much ground on Pindar and I didn't want to slow my boat down. However, I had to take advantage of the slow conditions and light breeze so I dropped the main and started my wrestle with my 6m x 4m of Code 5 sail material. I began to stick it to the area on my main where the damaged fibres are, the idea being that I will put a layer of material over the damaged area on both sides to protect the fibres in this spot.
"It took me three hours, lots of tape, some epoxy resin, some sikaflex, some cursing and a lot of patience. That does not include the hoisting and lowering numerous times to get to all four corners. Eventually I decided I could hoist, but unfortunately by the time I got to a full hoist the top area had come unstuck and was already falling away! The theory is correct but I now need to hope it stays where it is until I do the other side and then I think I am going to have to try and secure it again. I will probably have to stitch the corners. I did, in an extreme measure, try the skin staples from my medical kit but they didn't work!
"Anyway, the good news is that I am at a full hoist with my mainsail for the first time in ages and I have now been able to put a bigger headsail up in these light conditions, which is great. I know once I gybe and pick up the south easterly breeze I will need to do the operation again on the other side but until then I just need to keep Aviva moving.
"As for me - I am physically exhausted and now going to have a well earned shower and change of clothes!"
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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