Artemis Transat - Whales Sighted - Dee Caffari Blog

Maybe, just maybe the power issues are behind us and we can get our heads back in the game. I am extra vigilant with my charge on my batteries as I do not want a repeat performance of loosing all power and stopping sailing until I find a fix. Between my team and I, we are confident we have found the temporary solution to get to Boston. Now we have a high pressure ridge to cross before we face our first real upwind sailing. Our first tacks will be unknown as it coincides with the blackout. North or South is the big decision. My first tactical hurdle is to try and get close to those ahead so we cross the ridge together so as not to allow them to make gains as they enter the new wind first. This will be a difficult couple of days ahead.

Dee and Aviva

WHAT OUT FOR THOSE WHALES! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. DONALD NJ USA

I have to be honest; yesterday was an emotional day. I had reached boiling point and called the shore team to let off steam. Unfortunately for Harry, he held the phone at arms length as I let off a tirade of abuse. It was at no one in particular just everything and in-between taking breathes and angry outbursts I kept remembering technical information to pass on to Joff that I had forgotten in my email.

The boys dealt with it well, as here I am a little further along the problem solving line of some of the issues onboard and I have just enjoyed a cup of tea at the best time of day. There is the last of the light, with a freshening breeze and flat water allowing me to sail in the right direction.

All day it has been light and we have all struggled to keep moving in any direction, let alone the right one! I also heard the sad news that Foncia has retired after damaging a daggerboard. It reminded me that anything can happen to any of us and I just need to focus on getting to the finish line as my priority, everything else is a bonus.

Dee and Aviva

Aviva and I have just crossed the Mid Atlantic Ridge on the chart and it could be said about the weather too as a high pressure ridge has spread before us all.

I was pleased to see that I had clawed back some of the lost miles from the fleet over night when I looked yesterday morning. I think in all honesty I was amazed as I had been becalmed, floating going nowhere and never in the right direction. Fortunately I was not alone. I was once again quite tired as I had hand steered for much of the night in my grim determination to keep Aviva moving. I had lost count how many sail changes there had been between my Genoa and the Code 0, but the hard work paid off.

Unfortunately more of the same kind of weather plagued the day and there were times when we would sail along in the glassy flat water with no problems, then we would wallow and flap and stop. The sun was warm to the skin and it was nice to shed some layers for a few hours. Dolphins played all day but had no interest at all in the boat and kept far away from us entertained by their games of how high they could jump and how many turns they could do in the air. It was impressive to see but to far away for a decent photograph.

The blackout weekend has left us unable to check each others progress and we can all concentrate on sailing our own boats in the weather we have. Sunday when the black out is lifted will be very interesting for everyone. At the front with the guys all so close I cannot even guess if they will still be in the same order. Only time will tell!

Dee and Aviva

Two years ago I finished my first ever solo voyage. Around the world against the prevailing winds and currents, non-stop in the Aviva Challenge. I followed in elite footsteps of Blyth, Monnet, Golding and Van den Heede.
Now here I am at sea once more, in the Artemis Transat, sailing my first ever solo race in my new IMOCA Open 60 Aviva.

I can’t believe how far I have come in the space of two years and feel very privileged to be in my current position of sailing alongside or rather astern of some of the best sailors in the world. It is just awesome and hopefully this will be my stepping-stone to my biggest dream to date. To take part in the Vendee Globe this winter.

I learn something new about the boat, racing, the weather and myself everyday and I love it. There are definitely better days than others and closing the miles on the leaders always helps but having this opportunity is exciting. I have a great team making this all happen and often they only hear me moan or complain or ask how to fix something. They rarely hear that I am enjoying the racing and the challenges.

The fleet have had a blackout of positions for 36 hours and during this time in the whole north Atlantic I had a collision course with a cargo ship going to New York. The visibility was variable and we would go from a clear horizon to two-boat lengths view that was spooky. I called the ship to check he had seen me and then explain that I would appreciate him altering course for me. He asked my position and I hesitated because if any other yachts in the fleet were listening they would have my position. I decided that safety and not being made to tack again was better than taking a risk.

I am looking forward to following the fleets’ progress again after the blackout.

Well done to Pompey yesterday. I know the whole city of Portsmouth will be giving them a hero's welcome when they bring the FA Cup home.

Dee and Aviva