Artemis Transat day 16 - Dee Caffari Blog
Having spent the day before and the night blanketed in fog and becalmed I was pleased when the sun rose into a clear sky I had some movement and in the direction of Boston.
When the positions came in this morning I also saw that the others were not let off entirely from the no wind fortunes that I had endured. There was some mileage between us but not as much as if they had been sailing all night. Relieved I collected the weather and trimmed the boat to make the best of the wind. The weather looked like it would stay all day and then increase, so we would tack and then go through strong SW winds on the way into Boston.
The reality was just as I thought for most of the day until the wind started to die at the end of the evening. Again becalmed but this time without the fog Aviva was dead in the water again. Glassy seas surrounded us, a cold air temperature and clear blue skies with only the odd cloud above delivered us no wind.
Gone was the option to go anywhere to seek wind, as I had no boat speed for the second time in as many days. I am not sure how much more I can take of this. Again it was just after the final position report of the day that had the others all sailing good speeds towards Boston.
Dee and Aviva
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"Tenacious Dee" Caffari
For those of you who don't know, this is Dee's first Trans-Atlantic race. To put things into perspective, it was winner Loick's 40th.
Despite being alternately knocked about by weather and then becalmed on an almost daily cycle, the physical effort, and the exhaustion, Dee's kept her smile. This is the attitude that separates the contenders from the pretenders, and if you don't think Dee's a competitor on the rise, you haven't been paying attention.
It's also this attitude that has earned her the nickname: "Tenacious Dee"
Keep it up, Dee, we're all behind you!
Crossed the finish line of the Artemis Transat in Boston! Dee
I'm over the moon to have arrived safely in America. Aviva and I are here in one piece and I'm feeling very proud. I'm exhausted and elated at the same time - racing just takes every last emotion out of you. I'll never forget this, it's the first solo race I've completed and Aviva and I have really bonded. As with any relationship there have been highs and lows but we're just so pleased to be here.
Dee Caffari and Aviva
15:05:34 (GMT): Crossed the finish line of the Artemis Transat race in Boston! 16 days, 2 hours and 5 minutes. Photos by Matt Dickens of onEdition.
Congratulations
Dee you’re beautiful !
Mike
Well done Dee
Your determination and persistence is an inspiration to us all - well done.
Dee and Aviva in Boston
I have now been ashore for a couple of days. I have rested, washed and revitalised myself until I feel as good as new.
The finish of my first solo race has been awesome and to now be in a position of qualifying for the ultimate aim of the project, the Vendee Globe is an achievement in itself.
A true testament to the work the boys have done on the boat is that Aviva arrived in Boston looking as good as when she left and with very little wrong with her. I have learnt a huge amount during the Transat Race and have identified some key areas that I need to develop in and work on.
Boston was a wonderful welcome sight during those final few miles after what was the best sailing of the whole race in the final 24 hours. Huge cheers, champagne and relief were all on the dock as Aviva and I pulled up. Even Loick Peyron, The Jedi Master himself was there to welcome me into port.
The true test now is making the most of the three thousand miles return trip as time is not on my side to learn the finer details of how to make these boats go fast in the right direction.
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