Summary
Seven weeks into her circumnavigation, Dee Caffari has covered 8500 miles and overcome a near-disaster when technical faults with the autopilot almost brought the challenge to an end. She hit an all-time psychological and physical low just before Cape Horn, but the New Year and a new ocean has lifted her to the opposite end of the emotional spectrum. She may be about to get a thrashing for up to 80 days sailing upwind across the Southern Ocean, but Dee is upbeat, healthy and sounding more determined than ever to get to the finish line.
Conditions have been calm over the weekend, but Dee has reported a definite change of climate: “The wind has a southerly component to it and has reduced the temperature dramatically. The only saving grace at the moment is that the winds are relatively light and the amount of water and spray over the deck is minimal.”
After rounding Cape Horn last Thursday, she was amazed at the speed with which the weather arrived, even though she knew it was coming. The wind increased from 10 to 45 knots within an hour and memories of uncomfortable upwind sailing came flooding back.
“The boat felt as if she was on her ear,” wrote Dee, “I was just about making a southwest direction and with the wind being on the nose, the apparent wind was at the close end of 50 knots. I was at the stage where I didn't know what sails to get rid of first.”
Around 60 miles southwest of the horn, the wind was determined to push Aviva towards nearby islands called Islas Diego Ramirez and ensure the adrenalin levels stayed high: “Aviva was sailing as if we were magnetised. Every course and wave made us head straight for them … the indexsail was driving the boat to windward and also the actions from the waves were taking us towards the islands too. I ended up sat on deck easing the indexsheet in the gusts to ensure we sailed below the islands safely … It was a sudden reminder of how horrible the wind and waves can be in the wilds of the Southern Ocean.”
30 knots took Dee through her first night after Cape Horn but it was aft of the beam (behind her) so the boat was flat and the sailing far more comfortable. Friday saw a brief return to upwind sailing, with Aviva “leaning over at a 25 degree angle and bouncing over the waves,” according to Dee, but the wind reduced and the sun came out, leading to a weekend of catching up on all the jobs that can only be done when the boat is not crashing violently through the waves.
Her “massive spring clean” allowed her to sort the yacht out and prepare for the rough stuff ahead, but has also doubled as a psychological and physical re-launch. She has been taking the opportunity to sleep in the calmer weather and has also been discussing food, showing that she is taking time to look after herself as well as the boat.
Sunshine, blue skies and wildlife have also played a part in lifting Dee’s spirits this weekend. She has enjoyed two sightings of whales – one even appeared alongside Aviva before disappearing under the hull and emerging the other side!
Dee’s next landmark will be passing south of New Zealand, about 6000 miles away at present, but for now just making ground to the west is helping to motivate the solo skipper: “There is a long way to go, but we are always getting closer to home. It feels that way even more so, as we are finally heading west and crossing the longitudes.”
Quick Links
Read Dee’s latest diary entry:
http://www.avivachallenge.com/index.asp?pageid=6&thisDay=9&thisMonth=1&view=day
Read Personal Coach Harry Spedding’s latest comments:
http://www.avivachallenge.com/index.asp?pageid=53
See Dee’s diary photos:
http://www.avivachallenge.com/index.asp?pageid=47
The Southern Ocean will be the most grueling chapter for the voyage for Dee, click here to send her a message of support or ask a question:
http://www.avivachallenge.com/index.asp?pageid=24
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