British yachtswoman Dee Caffari, 36, onboard her yacht Aviva is only ten days away from making history and becoming the first woman to sail solo, non-stop both ways around the world.
British yachtswoman Dee Caffari, 36, onboard her yacht Aviva is only ten days away from making history and becoming the first woman to sail solo, non-stop both ways around the world. The solo skipper is closing in on her second world record with less than 2,500 miles left to sail. Caffari is currently battling up the Atlantic with a heavily damaged mainsail in the final stages of the Vendée Globe yacht race.
The determined British skipper, who set the sailing world alight in May 2006 by becoming the first woman to sail solo, non-stop the "wrong way" around the world (against the prevailing winds and currents), has battled in the face of adversity to keep her record dreams alive. Caffari will become only the fourth person in history, following Phillip Monnet, Jean-Luc Van den Heede and Britain's Mike Golding, to sail solo, non-stop both ways around the world alone and unaided.
Since Christmas Caffari has suffered from a delaminated mainsail which has reduced large sections of the sail which provides the majority of her power to resemble a "string vest". However, despite spending over half of her 88 days at sea with mainsail problems Caffari has remained focused on completing her ultimate goal, to achieve a "double world first".
The former PE teacher from Hertfordshire, who only started sailing professionally less than 10 years ago, has revelled in the competition of the world's toughest ocean race, the Vendée Globe, and is currently lying in sixth place. Known as the "Everest of the Seas", the marathon 28,000-mile race has tested both skippers and their boats to the core; only 11 sailors from the original fleet of 30 are competing for the finish line.
The solo skipper has tackled hurricane strength winds, avoided icebergs in the Southern Ocean and managed to keep her Open 60 Aviva going despite severe damage to her mainsail. The gutsy British sailor has remained resolute to keep her record attempt on course despite having to make numerous repairs to her mainsail. The solo skipper even resorted to using skin staples from her medical kit and cutting up other sails to keep herself in the race.
Caffari reported from onboard Aviva today: "It's been an unbelievable race. We've had some of the harshest conditions the Vendée Globe has ever seen. The number of incidents that have forced boats to retire is a testament to how hard this race is. I'm so proud to be out here onboard Aviva, still racing and still focusing on the ultimate goal - to be the first woman to sail solo both ways around the world.
"My mainsail has been a real cause for concern but I've had to block any negative thoughts out and just find imaginative solutions. My team have been behind me the whole way and now it's just a matter of keeping it all together and maintaining my competitive drive for the final 2,500 miles back to France."
The Vendée Globe is the race that shot fellow British yachtswoman Dame Ellen MacArthur to stardom after she came second in 2000/01. The eminent skipper has followed Caffari's race and reported: "It will be fantastic for Dee to cross that finish line, all being well, and to be the first woman to sail non-stop both ways around the world. What an amazing achievement to do both those things! She is a great person and she deserves to cross that finish."
Dee Caffari is racing alongside fellow British female sailor Sam Davies. Speaking on being one of two women to start, and hopefully finish, the race Caffari added: "Sam has sailed a great race. She's certainly really enjoyed it out here. I'm just really proud that we were able to show the boys what we're made of. To be in the top ten was going to be a dream come true for us both making our debut in this edition of the Vendée Globe. For us both to be where we are is just fantastic for women, not only in sailing but across all sports."
Dee Caffari's Top 5 most memorable moments of the Vendee Globe:
- The Start
"Being on the pontoon with so many sailing legends was just surreal but then I got off to such a flying start, I was neck and neck with legends like Vincent Riou, the winner in 2004/05. I couldn't really believe it, it was a dream start so that was really very special for me." - Sailing Aviva at speed
"When Aviva and I were flying along in the South Atlantic heading towards home it was such a great feeling. The stars were like a blanket covering the sky all the way to the horizon and it was just magical." - The New Zealand fly-by with "Rescue Dave"
"When you've been at sea for nearly two months and you haven't seen another vessel let alone another person for weeks it was such a brilliant surprise to hear ‘Rescue' Dave Greenberg on the radio as he flew over Aviva and me south of New Zealand." - Celebrating my birthday with a Diet Coke
"I knew it would be the small things I'd miss, like the crunch of an apple or a cold Diet Coke. Well I was rewarded on my birthday (23 January) with a Diet Coke. It tasted so good but I can't wait to get back now and have a cold one straight from the fridge!" - Messages of support from around the world
"Although I'm alone out here for 90 days, I haven't felt lonely. I've had messages of support from all over the world and even from people like Sir Matthew Pinsent, Dame Kelly Holmes and Charley Boorman. Sporting and adventure legends are taking the time to follow my race. It's awesome!"
Dee Caffari's top 5 scariest moments:
- Yann's broken leg and Jean Le Cam's capsize
"When news came through of Yann Elies broken leg my heart jumped into my throat. I had completed a similar manoeuvre to him earlier that day so it was a real shock. Thankfully he was expertly rescued by the Australian Navy and had the support of Marc Guillemot who watched over him for two days whilst help arrived.
"We all know the Southern Ocean is a hostile and treacherous place but when news came that VM Materieux had capsized I was shell-shocked. Jean is an extremely experienced sailor so he knew exactly what to do but we had to wait all day to find out if he was ok. Sadly his rescue led to Vincent Riou's eventual dismasting but at least both skippers were safe and sound." - Mike Golding's dismasting
"Mike and I formed a technical alliance before the race started; our boats are sister-ships so it was a physical and emotional blow when I heard the news of his dismasting. My first thoughts were obviously for his safety but then also for Aviva. It was such a cruel blow as he had only just taken the lead." - My knee
"It feels like it was a lifetime ago when my knees began playing up. I was in the South Atlantic about to round the Cape of Good Hope when my knees inflamed. There was a small part of me that thought that was the end of my race but the anti-inflammatories kicked in and I've made it back into the Atlantic in one piece. Injury was always a big worry for me but here I am heading towards home and the record." - Rounding Cape Horn in 70 knot storms
"I'm no stranger to Southern Ocean storms having spent 100 days down there during the Aviva Challenge but nothing prepared me for the final farewell I got as I rounded Cape Horn. The winds were up to 70 knots and the waves were the size of a five storey house. My sail was degrading and I was petrified but Aviva and I came through it."
- Fear of the mainsail not making it to the finish
"The fear of injury or a boat problem was always in the back of my mind. Whilst others were dealt such cruel blows my problem seemed smaller and more manageable but instilled a real sense of fear: not life-threatening but a real threat to my ability to stay in the race and keep my dream of setting a second record alive. When the mainsail began to delaminate I thought I could manage it, I had patches and repairs kits to cope with sail tears but I've ended up with a string vest for a sail and I couldn't believe that a sail problem was going to threaten my record attempt. That said I'm still going, but not as fast as I want to be."
-ends-
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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