As Aviva heads into the cooler North Atlantic waters just south of the Azores the race is on for the top three British skippers, Dee Caffari, Brian Thompson and Sam Davies.
As Aviva heads into the cooler North Atlantic waters just south of the Azores the race is on for the top three British skippers, Dee Caffari, Brian Thompson and Sam Davies. There are just 400 miles separating the trio who will all be fighting for the title of first British skipper home in the 2008/09 edition of the Vendée Globe.
Despite her mainsail disintegrating around her Dee Caffari has clawed her way back into the race and is chasing down Brian Thompson as the pair negotiate the Azores High with just 65 miles between them. The race for the finish is certainly on but Caffari is determined to keep an eye on her ultimate goal to successfully complete the Vendée Globe and become the first woman to sail, solo-non-stop both ways around the world.
Caffari currently has 1,800 miles to the finish and is expected to cross the finish line between 14-15 February.
Dee Caffari's latest diary entry received on Saturday 7 February 2009 at 6.20pm GMT:
To receive Dee's diary automatically, visit www.avivaoceanracing.com/rss to sign up for the RSS feed.
"I'm really pleased to say that I have kept some breeze all day today. It has got lighter as I am now very close to the high pressure but we have kept moving and made progress throughout the day. I am also really excited to have made up the miles lost to Brian at the Doldrums. Hopefully I can keep that going so we will have a race to the finish.
"To celebrate our progress today I had a shower as the temperature is now dropping and my shorts and t shirt were really not appropriate anymore. The sea temperature has also dropped and the thought of a bucket of cold sea water over my head was not appealing so I helped by adding some hot water from the recently boiled kettle as gas is not something I am short of. I feel much better for it and a change of clothes is also now seeing me back in a base layer ready for the fact that everything will get colder rather than warmer from now on."
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
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
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.