The race has been won but the achievements of Michel Desjoyeaux are proving an inspiration to Dee Caffari as she steps on the gas to make up miles lost over a frustrating weekend in the Doldrums.
The race has been won but the achievements of Michel Desjoyeaux are proving an inspiration to Dee Caffari as she steps on the gas to make up miles lost over a frustrating weekend in the Doldrums.
Aviva is finally on the move again having been parked up for the past two days. Dee crept across the equator - her eighth crossing - at a snails pace and into the northern hemisphere though was so preoccupied with trying to make her boat go faster, she didn't notice the instruments change from "South" to "North".
It was a nightmare weekend, she said: "I spent it changing sails and trying everything I could to keep Aviva moving but it is very hard when there is no wind. The hardest thing was seeing the miles go to the guys ahead after I'd caught them up. I have a lot of work to do now to try and close the gap again."
But seeing Desjoyeaux cross the finish line on Foncia has kept her motivated. His achievement has left her in awe.
"To watch him is totally inspiring. Even for people who are not interested in sailing, it has been an amazing performance.
"It makes me think about what I have to do to be like that. If you look at the race, it has probably been the hardest race there has ever been so his victory means so much more. It's a bigger achievement than previous wins. There were 30 skippers at the start and now there are 12 and all the things that have happened along the way means that if you finish, you can take a lot from it. It's no mean feat."
"He didn't just win, he did it in such style. He had to restart and was 40 hours behind everyone else when he did that. He sailed a truly incredible race throughout. It is impressive to be part of the same race."
"And then when he arrived in Les Sables d'Olonne he would have looked cool. He would have had a shave and a wash and a change of clothes. He would not have come in looking like he'd spent 80 days at sea. He would have come in looking like he was going out for dinner. That is part of the Desjoyeaux package. So cool."
Dee is continuing to battle with her mainsail problems but was in full agreement with Desjoyeaux over the importance of boat preparation.
"He made a really interesting comment that 80% of the race was won before he left and 20% was won on the track. I am right at the other end of the scale having spent just 18 months racing these boats but I am still in the race which is amazing. And the reason I am still in the race is that I have a good team behind me to prepare my boat for me."
Her sail however is in a sorry state and Dee has no idea whether it will make it to the finish.
"The flapping of the sails in the Doldrums with no wind was shaking it to bits and I had bits of Mylar shaking off like confetti as I was sailing along. The mainsail has pretty much fallen apart now so it will be interesting to see what happens next. I need a crystal ball to tell me if the sail will get to the finish. Right now I have no idea."
Aviva Ocean Racing campaign director, Andrew Roberts reported this morning: "The last three days have been particularly tough for Dee. It's been a very tricky Doldrum crossing and she will no doubt be exhausted. The delamination of the mainsail continues but Dee is focused on the finish line. Depending on how the mainsail fares in the North Atlantic there are sail plans available should the mainsail deteriorate further. A few good days sailing should reveal a more positive Dee."
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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