The Artemis Transat ice gate was added to keep the fleet away from potentially lethal icebergs, but for Dee Caffari and Aviva, this notional line marks the start of the run in to Boston and the countdown to the finish. ‘This last section is the most difficult part of the race but reaching the ice gate is a relief because it marks the start of the last section," said Caffari, as she crossed the line earlier today.
The Artemis Transat ice gate was added to keep the fleet away from potentially lethal icebergs, but for Dee Caffari and Aviva, this notional line marks the start of the run-in to Boston and the countdown to the finish.
"This last section is the most difficult part of the race but reaching the ice gate is a relief because it marks the start of the last section," said Caffari, as she crossed the line earlier today.
"We have 1,100 miles to go and I'm on the home strait now."
Caffari is well aware of the fog and shipping hazards that lurk in the popular fishing waters of the upcoming area of the Grand Banks where the cold Labrador Current mixes with the warm waters of the Gulf Stream but she has discovered a new tactic for dealing with the congestion, she reported this morning: "I've already seen a lot of shipping but that is bound to get worse on the way into Boston. I've had to speak to a couple of them because they were sailing on direct courses to me so I contacted them to ask if they would change course because I was a solo sailor...well you don't get anything if you don't ask... and amazingly they changed course!"
Negotiating her way to the gate was no easy task since the weather made life difficult and forced the solo skipper to put in a couple more tacks than she was anticipating.
"It's been hard work because I've been heading for the eastern end of the gate and the wind didn't do what I predicted so I had to put in another couple of tacks. I also had to change sails because I knew the light airs were coming so it has been a pretty busy time."
Following the news yesterday afternoon that race leader Vincent Riou was forced to abandon PRB, Caffari has been checking her keel like most of the skippers in the fleet.
"It's unbelievable news about Vincent. I immediately got on to the team to ask them what I should be looking for with my keel but they said it was a different system. We checked it through anyway which was good. As far as I know, I‘ve not hit anything in this race - touch wood - but as I said at the start, anything can happen to anyone at anytime so we take nothing for granted."
Dee Caffari's latest diary entry received on 21 May:
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"As the positions stopped for the day we were all lined up waiting for the wind to veer and to make a tack to take us to the ice gate. Desperate not to leave it too late I fear I may have made my move too early. As I head south the wind does not seem to be making a move so south I head. I am hoping that as the wind veers it will lift my heading to a more appropriate one. The waiting game takes place and we will find out in the early morning.
"Sad news of Vincent Riou being picked up off PRB by the ‘Jedi Master' himself Loick Peyron, skipper of Gitana as he had a fear of losing his keel. He must be devastated and I guess busy with his team making plans to get the boat so he can get back to work on it as soon as possible. I must admit to thinking if I should call my team and ask if there is something I should be checking but they seem happy and nothing has noticeably changed when I do my walk or rather crawl around to check things out."
Dee and Aviva
Aviva Ocean Racing Summary
In May 2006 Dee Caffari set a world record by becoming the first woman to sail solo, non-stop around the world against the prevailing winds and currents. The inspirational yachtswoman's next ambition is to complete the Vendée Globe 2008/09 and become the first woman to sail solo non-stop around the world in both directions.
Further information on Dee Caffari and her Aviva Ocean Racing campaign can be found at www.avivaoceanracing.com
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Caroline Ayling, Mbl: +44 (0)7801 351950, Tel: +44 (0)20 7202 2840,
e-mail: carolinea@karen-earl.co.uk
Kelly Russell, Mbl +44 (0)7786 516570, Tel: +44 (0)20 7202 2862,
e-mail: kellyr@karen-earl.co.uk
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