Dee Caffari has been taking advantage of calmer weather in the Pacific Ocean to prepare her Open 60 Aviva for the impending storm, predicted by Meteo France to be the worst so far in this edition of the Vendée Globe race.
Dee Caffari has been taking advantage of calmer weather in the Pacific Ocean to prepare her Open 60 Aviva for the impending storm, predicted by Meteo France to be the worst so far in this edition of the Vendée Globe race.
Despite sustaining significant damage to Aviva's mainsail, Caffari is confident she will reach Cape Horn in the next 24 hours ahead of the 80 knot gusts that are expected to hit on Friday lunchtime.
Caffari is currently in eighth position, sixty miles behind Frenchman Arnaud Boissières onboard Akena Vérandas.
Dee Caffari's latest diary entry received on Wednesday 14 January at 6.15pm GMT:
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"The wind eased yesterday and the sea state eased and we had some pleasant sailing. The difference a few hours made was incredible. I spent some time taking the water out of Aviva and checking everything. The mainsail is an issue and I took some photos to send back to the shore team.
"After looking at the weather and having my boat speed drop right down I became fearful of not reaching the Cape before the next bad weather hit, so after seeking advice I hoisted my sail to three reefs. There are a couple of windows in it and so it is far from efficient and on one side I now have streaming taffeta but it is still in one piece and has allowed me to hoist a bigger headsail and make some ground towards the Cape.
"I am now 330 miles from the notorious landmark and confident of the conditions to get there. The problem now facing myself, Brian on Pindar and Arnaud on Akena is what to do about the depression set to hit us on the far side of South America. The Andes normally stop the worst of the lows and they slide south and away to Antarctica, but this little puppy seems to jump right over the top and is set on finding us. The question now is how to avoid the worst of the wind."
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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Website: www.avivaoceanracing.com
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