Dee Caffari celebrated the New Year in the Southern Ocean once again as she sails solo non-stop around the world in the Vendée Globe yacht race. The solo skipper took the opportunity to reflect on the bigger picture she's experiencing out at sea, beyond making sail repairs and passing the next safety gate of the race - Caffari's talking ice.
Dee Caffari celebrated the New Year in the Southern Ocean once again as she sails solo non-stop around the world in the Vendée Globe yacht race. The solo skipper took the opportunity to reflect on the bigger picture she's experiencing out at sea, beyond making sail repairs and passing the next safety gate of the race - Caffari's talking ice.
In her latest diary entry, the former PE teacher reflects on her previous Southern Ocean crossings and compares the amount of ice she observed in 2004, 2005 and now in 2009. Her findings although not strictly scientific have certainly left her in no doubt that global warming is having a marked effect on the planet's oceans as icebergs drift further and further north.
Caffari reports: 'Four years ago I sailed around the world with a crew, and we were as deep as 61 degrees south... we saw no ice. The following year during the Aviva Challenge I set off down here again alone and sailed as low as 57 degrees south. I had an ice encounter in the Indian Ocean lasting three days of dodging icebergs that was both scary and testing. Now just two years on and we are seeing radar and satellite scans of ice as far north as 45 degrees and we are having ice gates set at 44 degrees south. If that does not illustrate the difference in the planet in only just four years then I am not sure what does.'
The morning position reports show Aviva in tenth position but with the news of Jean-Pierre Dick's broken rudder Caffari is effectively lying in ninth place as the competing fleet reached half of its original size with just 15 boats remaining in the race.
Dee Caffari's latest diary entry received Wednesday 31 December, 18H00 GMT:
‘Happy New Year to everyone.
‘As promised I have passed north of Gate 8 today in a decreasing wind and calmer sea state than the previous few days. The sky does show signs of breaking up so I am hoping for the endless drizzle and mist / fog I have been sailing in for the last 48 hours to move away too. If I am going to sail slowly then I may as well have nice conditions, then it does not seem too bad.
‘There has to be something in the term Global Warming or Environmental Change and I cannot help thinking we just pay lip service to it at home. Four years ago I sailed around the world with a crew, and we were as deep as 61 degrees south. Twelve boats that year with eighteen sets of eyes onboard and we saw no ice. The following year during the Aviva Challenge I set off down here again alone and sailed as low as 57 degrees south and probably averaged at between 50 and 55 degrees south. I had an ice encounter in the Indian Ocean lasting three days of dodging icebergs that was both scary and testing. Now just two years on and we are seeing radar and satellite scans of ice as far north as 45 degrees and we are having ice gates set at 44 degrees south. If that does not illustrate the difference in the planet in only just four years then I am not sure what does.
‘If people are making New Year Resolutions today and tomorrow then I do ask that you add in something about reducing, reusing and recycling, as we do all need to do something a little extra to protect this beautiful planet we have. Make 2009 a Green Year!'
Dee and Aviva
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
-ends-
For further information and interview requests contact:
Caroline Ayling
M: +44 (0) 7801 351950
E: caroline.ayling@synergy-sponsorship.com
Kelly Russell
M: +44 (0)7786 516570
E: Kelly.russell@synergy-sponsorship.com
Website:
www.avivaoceanracing.com
Images:
www.avivaoceanracing.com/images
Notes to editors:
- 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 2007. Aviva's principal business activities are long-term savings, fund management and general insurance, with worldwide total sales of £49.2 billion and funds under management of £359 billion at 30 June 2008.
- The Aviva media centre at www.aviva.com/media includes images, company and product information and a news release archive.
- For broadcast-standard video, please visit our video section.