Record breaking yachtswoman Dee Caffari has ridden out the latest 40 knot winds onboard Aviva but her mainsail is taking a battering as yet more fibres part from the sail. Whilst the boat has been surfing down the North Atlantic waves Caffari revealed that the stress levels have been high onboard her Open 60.
Record breaking yachtswoman Dee Caffari has ridden out the latest 40 knot winds onboard Aviva but her mainsail is taking a battering as yet more fibres part from the sail. Whilst the boat has been surfing down the North Atlantic waves Caffari revealed that the stress levels have been high onboard her Open 60.
The solo skipper, who is just days away from becoming the first woman to sail solo, non-stop both ways around the world, is hoping her disintegrating mainsail will survive to the finish. The 35 knots winds would prove to be ideal sailing conditions but with such a damaged mainsail Caffari is anxious to protect it as much as possible to ensure she makes it to the finish line in Les Sables d'Olonne.
Caffari is currently just over 1,000 miles from the finish and is expected to cross the finish line between Sunday evening and Monday morning.
Dee Caffari's latest diary entry received on Wednesday 11 February 2009 at 2.15pm GMT:
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"The sailing should be enjoyable. We have 30 to 35 knots of wind and a blue sky with white fluffy clouds. The boat speeds are fast down the waves and we are closing the miles to the finish. However on Aviva the stress levels are high.
"40 knots last night through the mainsail didn't go down too well and another section of fibres parted. I am now holding my breath as we surf along for another 24 hours before the wind eases. Once we reach the light airs I can hoist the mainsail and hopefully leave it. Maybe the high pressure is a blessing in disguise as I am not sure another depression would be any good for the mainsail or my anxiety levels.
"Unfortunately, to avoid any further damage with the fibres getting caught, I am going to have to wait until much lighter winds before hoisting so I may lose some more miles to Pindar but we all have to float through the high pressure to the finish, so all is not lost."
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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