Fifty-four days into the Vendée Globe round the world yacht race, Dee Caffari has been tackling a new challenge onboard Aviva. Alerted by a new vibration within her Open 60, Caffari found seaweed attached to both the leeward and windward rudders on separate occasions and had to untangle it before turning her focus back to racing.
Fifty-four days into the Vendée Globe round the world yacht race, Dee Caffari has been tackling a new challenge onboard Aviva. Alerted by a new vibration within her Open 60, Caffari found seaweed attached to both the leeward and windward rudders on separate occasions and had to untangle it before turning her focus back to racing.
Caffari is currently in ninth position, forty miles ahead of race rival Arnaud Boissières on Akena Vérandas.
Dee's latest diary received on Thursday 1 January at 16h00 GMT:
"Well there is certainly no hang over on Aviva today, but we did pop a cork of Mumm Champagne to toast the New Year in.
"I called home and spoke to my Mum and boyfriend which actually made me feel lonely. There was good e-mail contact amongst the Brit Pack with well wished for the New Year and I spoke to Brian on Pindar. Good news that his mechanical skills have given power to Pindar once more.
"The New Year has not bought any change in the weather conditions. The visibility may have improved marginally but the drizzle remains and the grey landscape stays unchanged. The weather has not been conducive to mainsail repairs so that job remains on the list, otherwise we push on to the next ice gate some 650 miles away. It is great having these milestones along the way as they help tick off the miles before the big left hand turn at the end of the Pacific.
"My New Year was spent with weed issues as I looked aft to see a brown stream from my leeward rudder. Upon investigation I saw a large amount of seaweed streaming from the rudder. It was huge and flat and brown. Anyway after bearing away and pulling at it with a boat hook we eventually disentangled ourselves. Sailing on Aviva for over 50 days now has meant that you know every noise and more importantly if there is a new strange noise. A low pitched vibrating noise had started and was intermittent. I checked the keel box, then the transom for the steering gear and the pilot. The noise was louder and only on the windward side but not directly related to anything. Looking over the back of the boat I saw now some more weed, but a different type streaming off the lower edge of the windward rudder. Slowing the boat down did not allow me access to the weed with my boat hook so I tried a different approach and heeled the boat over so the rudder would clear the water in between waves. After a few waves this proved successful, washing the weed from the rudder tip and stopping my vibration. Mission accomplished now back to sailing again."
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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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:
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