Seventy days into the epic Vendée Globe solo round the world race, Dee Caffari and Aviva have passed the Falkland Islands as they head up the Atlantic towards the finish on the west coast of France.
Seventy days into the epic Vendée Globe solo round the world race, Dee Caffari and Aviva have passed the Falkland Islands as they head up the Atlantic towards the finish on the west coast of France.
Fatigued from the storm force winds experienced in the Cape Horn area, Caffari is taking time to catch up on food and sleep. Once the breeze drops, Caffari will attempt to repair her badly damaged mainsail, which has been described as a "string vest".
Caffari is currently in eighth place, less than 40 miles behind Arnaud Boissières (Akena Vérandas).
Dee Caffari's latest diary entry received on Saturday 17 January at 7pm GMT:
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"Fatigue has caught up with me a little from the previous few days of strong winds and worry. So today has been about getting some rest and enjoying the fact that I am sailing north and the sea temperature is going up again.
"Last night I packed my storm staysail away for what I hope is the final time and now I am going to set about preparing my repair materials for the mainsail. I did hoist past the forth reef today to allow me to fly a bigger headsail. It is all about balance. To use a bigger headsail I must balance the loads on my rig with more sail behind the mast otherwise it is very bad for the mast and I do not want to give myself any problems in that department. This is why I am so keen to fix the top of my mainsail so it can be flown at full hoist to allow me to fly my other mast head sails. But until the weather window arrives I must sail with myself ventilated fibrous mainsail!"
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.
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Website: www.avivaoceanracing.com
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