The race seems to feel like it is getting longer and longer and longer for Dee Caffari on Aviva this morning after losing miles overnight at the back of the Transat B to B fleet.
The race seems to feel like it is getting longer and longer and longer for Dee Caffari on Aviva this morning after losing miles overnight at the back of the Transat B to B fleet.
As the front runners hang a right towards the finish line at Port La Foret in Brittany, France, enjoying speeds of up to 16 knots, Dee, lying in 12th place some 993 miles behind the leader and battling with light airs, received an unpleasant surprise when she saw the latest position report this morning.
"For most of the night, I was making north but Akena Verendas, Maisonneuve and Spirit of Canada were more easterly and closed the miles to home while I lost miles so that was frustrating," she said.
"But the boat is still moving, just. I thought I was doing the right thing and the boat seemed to be moving along well all night then you wake up and get the morning positions and see the others have done a bit better. It has knocked my confidence. Home doesn't seem to be getting any nearer and this race seems to be getting longer and longer and longer."
Already, Dee is looking ahead to see what overtaking opportunities might present themselves in the remaining 1,400 miles to home.
"If you had asked me 24 hours ago, I would have been more optimistic especially of keeping Spirit of Canada in my sights but now I don't know because there is every chance I might get it wrong again. Maybe I was unlucky last night I don't know. In light airs, things change so rapidly but for the moment I've lost a bit of confidence. Everything on board is good - no problems but we just want to get moving. The boat is as frustrated as I am but as I keep telling her, I can't control the weather."
Dee Caffari's latest diary entry received at 10.16am UTC on 11 December:
"Aviva and I are desperately trying to negotiate the high pressure descending to us so we can get north of it and sail to the finish in the new weather. I spend all my time trying to second-guess the route and take ages looking at the differences in the weather files. My inexperience in trusting my judgment and also the computer program has added to my stress but that is what this learning time is all about. The fact when there are others in the same scenario helps my confidence. I think there will be a tricky couple of days ahead. It is demoralizing to see those at the head of the fleet sailing in new weather and closing home fast. Fair play to them and it has been outstanding racing for the leaders to still be so close after so long at sea. I have to say that Aviva and I are still happy to be sailing as there has been so much devastation in the IMOCA Open 60 fleet recently and just look at the esteemed company I am keeping. These guys are awesome."
Dee
Aviva Ocean Racing summary
After setting a world record last year sailing around the world against the prevailing winds and current, Dee Caffari's next ambition is to compete in the 2008/9 Vendée Globe and become the first woman to sail around the world, solo, in both directions.
Transat Ecover B to B
The 4,300-mile single-handed Transat Ecover B to B from Salvador de Bahia in Brazil to Port-La-Forêt, France is most important milestone of the Aviva Ocean Racing campaign to date. The race will be the first time that Caffari has raced solo and is the first time she'll be alone at sea since completing her record making round the world voyage. Despite being one of the least experienced Open 60 Skippers in the fleet, Caffari is determined to prove she can compete alongside some of the best sailors in the world.
Further information on Dee Caffari and her Aviva Ocean Racing campaign can be found at www.avivaoceanracing.com.
-ends-
For further information contact:
Caroline Ayling
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7202 2840
Mobile: +44 (0)7801 351950
E-mail: carolinea@karen-earl.co.uk
Kelly Russell
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7202 2862
Mobile: 07786 516570
E-mail: kellyr@karen-earl.co.uk
Notes to editors:
Aviva plc
Aviva is the leading provider of life and pensions to Europe with substantial positions in other markets around the world, making it the world's fifth largest insurance group based on gross worldwide premiums at 31 December 2006.
Aviva's principal business activities are long-term savings, fund management and general insurance, with worldwide total sales of £41.5 billion and assets under management of £364 billion at 31 December 2006.
The Aviva media centre at www.aviva.com/media includes images, company and product information and a news release archive.
2008/9 Vendée Globe qualification requires both the skipper and the boat entering the race to complete a solo qualification sail validated by the Vendée Globe race management of at least 1500 nautical miles, by 1 July 2008. The Transat Ecover B to B will qualify Dee and the current Aviva. However, she will be required to qualify the new Aviva that is currently under construction in Hakes Marine, New Zealand. She will be racing the new Aviva, sister ship to Mike Golding's new Ecover, in the 2008/9 Vendée Globe.