The latest weather system to pass over Dee Caffari’s Open 60 yacht Aviva, currently deep in the Southern Indian Ocean, has produced the worst conditions of the race so far. Last night the British solo skipper reported: "I have probably just had the worst twenty four hours of the race."
The latest weather system to pass over Dee Caffari's Open 60 yacht Aviva, currently deep in the Southern Indian Ocean, has produced the worst conditions of the race so far. Last night the British solo skipper reported: "I have probably just had the worst twenty four hours of the race."
The fearsome conditions produced gusts of 58 knots and huge seas that resulted in Caffari changing sail as the mountainous waves crashed over her on the foredeck. The storm has since passed and Caffari has reported that calmer conditions have allowed her to catch up on some sleep and eat some food.
The weather conditions continue to impact the fleet with the latest report of a serious injury to French skipper Yann Eliès onboard Generali. Harry Spedding, Aviva Ocean Racing campaign manager, has contacted Caffari about the news of Yann Eliès' fractured leg. He said: "Having heard the awful news our thoughts go out to Yann."
Dee Caffari's latest diary entry received on Wednesday 17 December at 8.30pm:
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"I have probably just had the worst twenty four hours of the race. After the news of Ecover yesterday and a front of a depression imminent I was a little anxious. Then last night it all began. The wind shift came quickly and I gybed before the wind increased. Then up and up it went. The skies held a menacing threat to it, the winds howled in the rigging. A steady 40 to 50 knots with gusts to 58 knots and the biggest scare factor was the mountainous seas that came with it all.
"We were hurtling along so I reduced sail and checked the grib file [weather file]. The wind was going to come right forward and see us reaching, yet the huge waves were there to break boats if I tried to sail across them. I was going to have to go with the flow a little more, so a more northerly course. The speeds were incredible, again mainly due to the waves but according to the grib file these winds were not just a front but the backside of the depression and would last around ten to twelve hours. I couldn't take that punishment for that long and I am certain that Aviva didn't want it either, so off I went for the surf of my life on the foredeck to change the staysail for the storm staysail.
"After a full body wash down on the deck with one hand on my harness line and one hand on the storm staysail, we did eventually get it hoisted and felt a little more in control. My main worry now is an area of damage to my mainsail that needs patching but it will have to wait until daybreak tomorrow when hopefully the weather will have subsided to more manageable conditions."
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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