As the leaders approach Cape Horn, Dee Caffari has had a changeable 24 hours onboard Aviva facing winds varying between 47 and 22 knots. With conditions set to stabilise over the next 24 hours, Caffari will be looking to catch up on sleep whilst maintaining her lead over Arnaud Boissieres onboard Akena Verandas.
As the leaders approach Cape Horn, Dee Caffari has had a changeable 24 hours onboard Aviva facing winds varying between 47 and 22 knots. With conditions set to stabilise over the next 24 hours, Caffari will be looking to catch up on sleep whilst maintaining her lead over Arnaud Boissieres onboard Akena Verandas.
The 10am race ranking placed Caffari in ninth position, just under 200 miles behind fellow Brit Brian Thompson (Bahrain Team Pindar).
The Aviva Ocean Racing team were saddened by the news of Jonny Malbon's (Artemis) forced retirement from the race this morning, due to the combined delamination of his mainsail with the damage sustained to his starboard rudder.
Dee's latest diary received on Saturday 3 January at 5.30pm GMT:
"It has been a difficult past 24 hours. The wind has been gusting 47 knots and in the lulls been as low as 22 knots and the sea has been huge having a large impact on the speed of the boat. Poor Aviva has been over powered at times and hugely under powered at times.
"It has been difficult progress but we hope the worst is through now as the gusts have not exceeded 37 knots recently but I can tell you the waves are still massive. We can be screeching along at 25 knots or stuck between waves at nine knots of boat speed. So a little uncomfortable and it has meant a restless night for me so I will be trying to sleep some more when I can and that will be easier when the wind stops whistling through the rigging.
"Next stop Gate number nine."
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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Kelly Russell
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E-mail: Kelly.russell@synergy-sponsorship.com
Website: www.avivaoceanracing.com
Images: www.avivaoceanracing.com/images
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