Solo-Around-Nonstop - Dee Caffari/Aviva www.avivachallenge.com - zur Übersicht 23.01.2006 Conditions ease for solo birthday celebrations in extreme isolation In Brief - Dee celebrates her 33rd birthday in extreme isolation just past Point Nemo - Harsh conditions give way to much needed weekend respite - Life against the wind becoming the norm - Wind starting to return at start of tenth week at sea Summary Dee Caffari has passed Point Nemo – the furthest point away from land in any ocean – and celebrates her birthday today at the start of her tenth week at sea. As the weekend approached, the only improvement in the weather was that Dee had not seen 50 knots on the dial for two days: “The grey, drizzly conditions continue and we continue to beat to windward in 25 - 35 knots of wind. “Life at an angle has become the norm now … The constant slamming as we launch from the crest of one wave to the trough of another wave has become the standard background symphony that my life has accompanying it these days.” Der Himmel ist gnädig zum 33. Von jetzt ab : alles in einem anderen Licht... Die Geburtstagsgeschenke "ähneln" den Weihnachtsgeschenken ? She hit a psychological slump at the start of last week, but was well aware that the harsh conditions making life so difficult were, “pretty much tough luck when sailing in a westerly direction in the Southern Ocean.” Just a few days later, she faced the prospect of being as far away from land as it’s possible to be, and celebrating her birthday at the most remote point of her voyage; as if to drive home her isolation. “She knows that at the moment there is no other living soul within hundreds of miles,” wrote Personal Coach Harry Spedding. “She wrote the other day about her excitement at the prospect of a ship being nearby. The likelihood of a merchant ship passing close by to her position is extremely remote, and Dee is very aware of that.” On a physical level, she has been collecting bruises while moving around down below including, “the mountaineering route to the heads.” But as the point of extreme isolation and birthday drew near – a time when the combination of tough conditions and psychological hurdles were likely to threaten her morale – there was a timely break in the weather. “The weekend outlook is showing signs of respite from the intensity of this week we have just had,” wrote Dee. In fact, the wind did not just ease, but died completely, leaving Dee and Aviva wallowing at the other end of the spectrum on Saturday: “I have been floating around just trying to keep Aviva moving in a direction close to west. “The ocean swell is still there and makes for a very unsteady rolling motion. The sails are flapping at every rise and fall of the wave, as my maximum gust has been 6 knots. It has been a pleasant change from 50 knots, but a little extreme.” Recent conditions had made the daily routine of living a challenge in itself so Dee immediately took advantage of the flatter seas: “I replaced the headsail furling line with my new improved spliced version … I changed my water maker primary filters and pumped my bilges. I carried out my Saturday domestic chores in some comfort rather than pounding along at an angle.” At the start of her 10th week at sea, the 33-year-old skipper saw an increase in the wind to “a healthy 20 knots” to help her celebrate a lonely birthday (Monday 23rd) and she even enjoyed some rare warmth from the sun. She also managed to clean herself as well as the boat, and then opened the presents that had been stashed on board during a unique birthday party. Looking forward, Dee is acutely aware that she is not yet halfway round, but the weather faxes that have started coming through clearly from New Zealand are another small but important reminder that she is gradually making progress in the right direction. Quick Links Read Dee’s birthday log and find out how the former teacher ended up sailing round the world: http://www.avivachallenge.com/index.asp?pageid=6 See the latest pictures sent back from Aviva of Dee’s birthday on board and repairing the furling line on the bow: http://www.avivachallenge.com/index.asp?pageid=47 Read Personal Coach Harry Spedding’s latest commentary on Dee’s progress: http://www.avivachallenge.com/index.asp?pageid=6&person=harry Copyright © 1996-2016 - SEGEL.DE