Solo-Around-Nonstop - Dee Caffari/Aviva www.avivachallenge.com - zur Übersicht 28.03.2006 Dee switches from “Southern Ocean mode to Atlantic mode” In Brief - Dee leaves the Roaring Forties behind and sets her sights on the Cape of Good Hope - Opportunity to enjoy “simple pleasures” provides a huge psychological boost - Promising forecast for approach to the Cape of Good Hope Summary At the end of last week, the extremes of Southern Ocean weather continued to frustrate Dee. She saw 58 knots while heading south to avoid the worst of another system bringing storm force winds, followed by a rapid return to a blue sky and light winds. “It was a bit of a wild ride,” wrote Dee, before admitting, “It is difficult to comprehend the two extremes of conditions experienced within 24 hours of each other. I still find it difficult to accept.” Exhaustion was beginning to set in as she fought to keep Aviva moving, despite “desperately trying to sleep” when conditions permitted. “It seems the Southern Ocean just won’t let us go easily” was an appropriate summation of recent events. Over the weekend, Dee described how benign 30 knots of wind now felt, adding that she has, “clearly spent too long battling in over 50 knots.” On Saturday there was a sharp drop in water temperature from 18 degrees Celsius to 9.3 in a period of 24 hours and memories of icebergs came flooding back. In the darkness Dee turned the radar alarms on and was uneasy until the water temperature rose again to the late teens. On Mother’s Day Mike Broughton, Dee’s weather forecaster, predicted a light patch that duly arrived, but also suggested that it was the ideal time to change from Southern Ocean mode to Atlantic mode. “When your weather router suggests you make the change,” wrote Dee, “it can't help but raise your spirits and belief that we are really going to be getting out of here and sailing away from the Southern Ocean soon.” So she set about changing the Yankee No.2 sail to the larger Yankee No.1 in anticipation of the changing conditions. Last time she made the change in reverse it was quite an ordeal, but this time she achieved the task in one hour and twenty minutes and ”was still able to walk and talk.” Impressed with the job, Dee said it was, “Either a sign that practise makes perfect and I have learnt tips along the way, or after battling the forces of nature for three months I am much stronger now than I realised. I would suggest that it is a combination of the two.” Already satisfied, the positive weekend continued on Mother’s Day. She was able to talk to her mother via the satellite phone and the conditions allowed for simple pleasures such as enjoying “a cup of tea on deck,” which had become distant memories. She also pounced on the chance to wear shorts for the first time in many months. “I feel as if the Southern Ocean kept me locked inside for the duration and now suddenly I have been set free. Not having to spend fifteen minutes to get dressed every time you want to go on deck is such a relief.” The highlight came when she passed north of 40 south, and the many signs that the Southern Ocean is behind her were reinforced by passing what is generally considered to be its northern limit: “So officially I left the Roaring Forties today … That is really the end of the Southern Ocean. However, I think we should just wait until we round the corner, just so we don't count our chickens before they hatch.” At the start of her 19th week at sea, Dee’s wish for consistent conditions that she has often mentioned during her Southern Ocean passage was still not coming true and progress stalled in light airs. On Monday she wrote, “Today did nothing to help my progress … The wind died and I have spent the rest of the day ensnared in the grip of the centre of the low-pressure cell I was hoping to pass.” But the conditions soon changed, and today Mike Broughton reported good progress west at 9 knots in winds from the southwest, adding that the forecast for the approach to the Cape of Good Hope is very promising. A high-pressure system to the southwest of Cape Town is expected to move east along the latitude of 40 south, so Mike is hoping Dee can get to the northern side of the system: “This will allow Dee to sail downwind in a westerly direction at a time when we would expect her to be beating to windward. As the system moves east and Dee approaches the Cape of Good Hope, the wind will shift to the northeast, allowing Dee to carry on running. Hopefully she will be able to make it all the way to the Cape in these relatively pleasant conditions.” Quick Links NEW WEBSITE FEATURE: See Dee’s position using Google Earth http://www.avivachallenge.com/index.asp?PageID=59 See the latest video message from Dee: http://www.avivachallenge.com/index.asp?PageID=31&VideoID=12&imagefilter=&startrow=1&keyword=&orderBy=publish Read the latest Shore Team commentary, describing the constant behind the scenes communications that ensure Dee’s ongoing safety: http://www.avivachallenge.com/index.asp?pageid=53 Read Dee’s latest diary entry: http://www.avivachallenge.com/index.asp?pageid=6 Copyright © 1996-2016 - SEGEL.DE