Following a flying start in the first 24 hours of the Vendée Globe yacht race, British yachtswoman Dee Caffari and the race fleet have faced horrendous conditions in the notorious Bay of Biscay.
Following a flying start in the first 24 hours of the Vendée Globe yacht race, British yachtswoman Dee Caffari and the race fleet have faced horrendous conditions in the notorious Bay of Biscay. Despite the strong winds and huge swells her Open 60 yacht Aviva is holding up against the harsh conditions as Caffari heads toward Cape Finistere today.
Caffari wrote in the early hours of this morning, "Everything is fine onboard. Will write more when I'm able. Dee xxx." This short and to-the-point update provided her team with enough information to know that she is safe and coping with the challenging conditions but there is little time for embellishment as she progresses south-west through the stormy seas. She has been all hands on deck since the race started on Sunday, unable to get much rest as relentless winds of 50 knots battered the Vendée Globe fleet throughout Monday night.
In the first 36 hours alone nine yachts have been forced to return to Les Sables d'Olonne, France. The intense weather conditions have caused damage to five boats in the fleet with three dismastings; Yannick Bestaven's Aquarelle.com, Kito de Pavent's Group Bel and Marc Thiercelin's DCNS.
Harry Spedding, Aviva Ocean Racing campaign manager said this morning: "The conditions last night were horrendous. The seas are really nasty, far worse than the Southern Ocean, as the continental plate creates steep and nasty waves. She's still up with the leading pack and to be just 10 miles from Mike in these conditions will give her added confidence.
"Our thoughts are with Yannick, Kito and Marc. It's a long road to get to the start of the Vendée Globe and to be dismasted in the first few days is just devastating."
As the latest race rankings registered at 10am (GMT), Caffari was placed in 12th position, behind fellow Brit Mike Golding and ahead of Sam Davies and Brian Thompson.
Latest from Dee Caffari, received 01.36am: "Everything is fine on board. Will write more when I'm able. Dee xxx"
Dee Caffari and Aviva
Aviva Ocean Racing summary
Record-breaking British yachtswoman Dee Caffari, 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 attempting her next ‘world first' by competing in the Vendée Globe yacht race. Caffari aims 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 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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