Aviva

Video - Sail Repair on Aviva

Dee Caffari — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 22:50:21 +0000

Thought I would share my day with you.

During the afternoon the sun was warm, so boiled kettle and poured water in bucket with sika tube in.

Ran generator with resin in space.

Cut some patches and got my stuff together.

Dropped main just past third reef.

Dabbed some resin

Placed a patch

I was down wind in twenty knots so top section will have to wait. It is new so should last until Atlantic.

Slowly hoisted using a combination of dabbing resin and applying sika and some patches to third reef.

Aviva

Vendee Globe Week 9 - Sailing Around the Horn

YachtPals — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 23:59:20 +0000

YachtPals.com 05 Jan
Vendee Globe Week 9 - Sailing Around the Horn

At the start of both Vendee Globe week nine and the new year, we find the leaders of the fleet sailing around the most feared and famous navigational landmark in the world: Cape Horn. Michel Desjoyeaux, currently in the lead, was the first around that wicked dagger of land at 0310 GMT this morning, with Roland Jourdain close behind and keeping up the pressure.

Aviva

Another Sailing Milestone - Dee Caffari

Dee Caffari — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 21:19:17 +0000

Blog at YachtPals.com - The Online Boating Community

Another milestone passed today as I crossed to the north of Gate number 9. That leaves just one more gate and Cape Horn left down here then Aviva and I can hand brake turn left and head north. I also broke through the 10000 miles to go barrier which is a nice incentive.

Vendee Globe

Happy New Year - Dee Caffari

Dee Caffari — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 23:10:52 +0000

Blog at YachtPals.com - The Online Boating Community

As promised I have passed north of Gate 8 today in a decreasing wind and calmer sea state than the previous few days. The sky does show signs of breaking up so I am hoping for the endless drizzle and mist / fog I have been sailing in for the last 48 hours to move away too. If I am going to sail slowly then I may as well have nice conditions, then it does not seem too bad.

Aviva

Vendee Globe Week 8 - Down, Out, and Sailing Through Storms

YachtPals — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 23:15:11 +0000

YachtPals.com 29 Dec
Vendee Globe Week 8 - Down, Out, and Sailing Through Storms

The brutality of sailing the Southern Oceans, though often the subject of stories, is easy to underestimate. The same is true of the difficulty of solo racing, with its associated sleep deprivation and physical and emotional stress. Combine these two issues, and throw in the added problems associated with running new and cutting edge technologies, and you have the formula of the Vendee Globe, as well as an explanation as to why almost half the fleet has now retired. This is simply as tough as it gets, in any sport.

Aviva

Aviva gets a visitor

Dee Caffari — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 20:34:03 +0000

I passed south of Auckland Islands last night and had a pretty bumpy ride during the night time hours. When dawn broke I had a call asking for my position out here in the middle of nowhere in the Southern Ocean. Three hours later a call came again with a familiar voice and asked for my position again. Ten minutes later a plane was overhead and Dave Greenberg with three buddies were flying around Aviva and saying hi.

Dee

Blog: I passed south of Auckland Islands last night

Aviva

Aviva in the Top Ten - Dee Caffari

Dee Caffari — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 18:28:49 +0000

Blog at YachtPals.com - The Online Boating Community

When I looked at the top ten skippers at the start in Les Sables d’Olonnes I never dreamt I would count among them in this race. It is like a dream. Now this race is a war of attrition but how nice it is to still be part of it.

I have shown I can do it. I’m just sailing the weather as I get the weather and trying to stay sensible. There is still a long way to go.

Aviva

Vendée Globe Week 7 - Half Way There!

YachtPals — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 23:59:40 +0000

YachtPals.com 22 Dec
Vendée Globe Week 7 - Half Way There!

Six weeks in now, and the attrition rate in this Vendée Globe has been as predicted: Devastating. Now only 18 of the original fleet of 30 are still in the race, and with half the course to go, several of the remaining yachts and sailors are having trouble of one sort or another. There's good reason why this race is known as one of the toughest competitions in the world; sailing solo around the Pole, at breakneck speeds, these contenders are pushing technology and human endurance to the limits, and as we saw last week, sometimes over the limits.

Vendee Globe

Just Heard about Mike Golding - Dee Caffari

Dee Caffari — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 20:38:34 +0000

I’m devastated for Mike. I feel like being sick. It’s such a cruel race.

Mike Golding Sailing Ecover 3 Dismasted

Aviva

Vendée Globe Week 6 - Dropping Like Flies - News and Video

YachtPals — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 23:50:59 +0000

YachtPals.com 15 Dec
Vendée Globe Week 6 - Dropping Like Flies - News and Video

Southern Ocean - After five weeks, the fleet has entered the toughest waters of the world, in the toughest race in the world. The 2008-2009 Vendée Globe fleet is in the snow and ice, with up to 60 knot winds buffeting the craft and waves that look like giant blackened teeth, ready to chew these boats up, and spit them out. Three more yachts fell out last week, meaning that nearly a third of the fleet has retired from the race, and its less than half over. This is sailing writ large, and it looks like things may get worse before they get better.

Aviva

Aviva Sailing Video

Dee Caffari — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 19:30:13 +0000

Surfing the Open 60 yacht Aviva

Aviva

Vendée Globe Week Five - "Chasing the Dawn"

YachtPals — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 19:53:48 +0000

YachtPals.com 08 Dec
Vendée Globe Week Five - "Chasing the Dawn"

The Vendée Globe sailors have made the turn to the East. At the beginning of week five, the fleet is now down to 24 boats, as Unai Basurko aboard Pakea Bizkaia has officially retired from the race with rudder problems. The yachts are in the South, and the trip around the pole has begun. If the first part of the race was the shakedown, and the last part is the sprint, then what the fleet is doing now is running the gauntlet. It's make or break time in the Vendée Globe.

Last week's Vendée Globe highlights:

Aviva

A tour of the yacht Aviva - Dee Caffari

Dee Caffari — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 07:10:09 +0000

A tour of the Open 60 yacht Aviva. Come on in, I'll show you around!

Dee

Aviva

Vendée Globe - Week 4

YachtPals — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 22:43:18 +0000

YachtPals.com 01 Dec
Vendée Globe - Week 4

Three weeks into the Vendée Globe Race, and 25 boats remain from the fleet of thirty. Delta Dore officially joined the ranks of the bruised and battered when Jérémie Beyou resigned from the race with unrepairable damage. The pack is tight, the winds have shifted, and the 2008-2009 Vendée Globe is nearing the Southern Oceans. The first

Aviva

Aviva Damage - Dee Caffari Video

Dee Caffari — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 20:12:09 +0000

A loud bang was heard amongst the carbon groans and crashes into walls of water and rig jarring shakes that I was getting used to.

I shone my torch around the deck and saw that the staysail was at a strange angle and thought the tack line had blown. A simple repair, but a pain of a job. Unfortunately as I bore away to reduce the load on the staysail I saw what had really happened. The tack fitting had blown and as the line was released it ripped the spinlock jammer clean off the deck!

Aviva

Bonjour - Dee Caffari Video

Dee Caffari — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 18:12:04 +0000

Sailing Aviva in the Vendée Globe. Dee Caffari

Aviva

Vendée Globe Week 3 - Hitting Below the Belt

YachtPals — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 23:30:18 +0000

YachtPals.com 24 Nov
Vendée Globe Week 3 - Hitting Below the Belt

Equatorial Atlantic - Two weeks in, and most boats in the Vendée Globe fleet have now crossed the 0° line, finding themselves solidly in the Southern Hemisphere. Foulies have given way to swimsuits (or birthday suits), Neptune has been appeased with champagne and goodies, Winter is in the wake, and the South Atlantic awaits.

Aviva

Dee Caffari Gifts for Neptune

Dee Caffari — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 23:37:52 +0000

Greetings from the Southern Hemisphere! At 0957hrs GMT this morning, I crossed the equator for the seventh time and toasted Neptune with a bottle of Champagne Mumm. It was a little warm but it was all I could find in my mini bar! As a present I gave today's ration of Haribo sweets to Neptune, which in my book is a pretty big deal but I am asking for a safe passage over a long distance, so it was fair.

Aviva

Aviva sailing video - Dee Caffari

Dee Caffari — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 05:55:25 +0000

Sailing Aviva in the Vendée Globe

Vendee Globe

Onboard Aviva Video - Dee Caffari

Dee Caffari — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 17:40:10 +0000

It has been a grey day outside and onboard Aviva today. I am not even sure why as after yesterday was spent trying to find enough wind to get moving we have been happy yachting along today. The wind is still a little shifty moving around by twenty degrees or so and ranging in wind speed from 9 knots to 19 knots of wind. I have spent much of my day in a state of indecision.

Aviva

Vendée Globe Race - Week Two

YachtPals — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 21:29:17 +0000

YachtPals.com 17 Nov
Vendée Globe Race - Week Two

Eastern Atlantic - Amazing that it's only one week in, and nearly a third of the boats sailing in the Vendée Globe fleet have had to turn back. Tough storm conditions and bleeding edge boats don't always mix well, and in the rush for last-minute preparations, some of the IMOCA Open 60's simply weren't ready. Luckily, though some of the boats are in bad shape, the injuries reported were mostly in the form of bangs, bruises, wrenched muscles and tired backs.

Aviva

Sailing Photo of the Week - Girls of the Globe

YachtPals — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 21:27:20 +0000

YachtPals.com 13 Nov
Sailing Photo of the Week - Girls of the Globe

Two of our most photogenic YachtPals, Sam Davies and Dee Caffari, sailed out in the Vendée Globe yacht race this week, in their quest to sail non-stop alone around the world. This will be Dee's second time alone around the world, but the first time in the right direction. When she completes the Vendée Globe, this will make her the first woman to ever sail around the world non-stop solo in both directions.

Aviva

Onboard Roxy in the Vendée Globe – Sam Davies

Sam Davies — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:54:30 +0000

Blog at YachtPals.com - The Online Boating Community

Hello,

Here is a nice picture of my lucky red socks "breathing" some fresh air under the full moon, after having been subjected to 48 hours non-stop inside ‘Le Chameau’ boots in the stormy weather!

Yes - I admit that I did not remove my boots or oilskins for 48 hours. It was too full-on to take the risk as I needed to be ready to go on deck at any moment.

Vendee Globe

Vendee Globe 2008-2009 Start with Sir Robin Knox-Johnston

YachtPals — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 19:57:24 +0000

YachtPals.com 09 Nov
Vendee Globe 2008-2009 Start with Sir Robin Knox-Johnston

Les Sables d'Olone, France - Around Alone: Two words that every sailor understands to be the ultimate challenge. To circumnavigate solo is so difficult that more people have traveled in outer space than have sailed non-stop around the world singlehanded, and far more have climbed Everest. There is no greater test of a person and a boat, and those 30 sailors that set out today on the Vendée Globe race will be racing against themselves as much as each other. As nearly every one of them we spoke to has said, they'll be l

Aviva

Vendée Globe Photo

DuffDuff — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 19:09:01 +0000

Photo at YachtPals.com - The Online Boating Community 08 Nov
Vendée Globe Photo

Aviva Scrapbook - Open 60 Sailboat - Dee Caffari

Dee Caffari — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 09:06:16 +0000

YachtPals.com - Online Cruising Guides

This is the front page of the Aviva scrapbook. Dee Caffari

Aviva

150,000 Visitors at the Vendee Globe Pontoons - Dee Caffari

Dee Caffari — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 18:16:12 +0000

Blog at YachtPals.com - The Online Boating Community

150 000 visitors have been on the pontoon to get up close and personal with the boats and teams as they prepare for the race start in less than two weeks. Despite the skippers being given free time this week, visitors are still queuing to get a glimpse of the machines and wander the race village stands of sponsors and local retailers. It is awesome and the fact that people were waiting about two hours to get on the pontoon is amazing. The start of the half term holidays has had great weather and the event has stirred as much excitement in mums and dads as it has the children.

Vendee Globe

One Month to Go Before the Vendée Globe - Dee

Dee Caffari — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 17:09:10 +0000

Blog at YachtPals.com - The Online Boating Community

With just a month to go to the start line we knew we had some jobs still to be ticked off the list. Each edition of the Vendée Globe has taught us what possible hazards there are for the yacht and skipper alike. Joff, our project manager has the knowledge of talking Conrad Humphries through his rudder change on Hellomoto, after he sustained damage to his rudder in the last race. Aviva and I are planning on carrying a spare rudder but I was keen to practise this maneuver before departure, as quite frankly the thought of the job worried me.

Vendee Globe

Time with Family and Friends - Dee Caffari

Dee Caffari — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 20:15:57 +0000

Blog at YachtPals.com - The Online Boating Community

As the last few days of being based in the UK tick away, final preparations are being done in great detail.

The guys have worked hard on the boat and with the British weather showing a kinder side have had no hold ups and the boat is already back in the water getting ready for some more sailing.
Without a boat to sail I have been busy with media commitments both in France and the UK, with the most impressive sight being just yesterday where we managed to get all the British skippers in this year's Vendee Globe together in one place. That is no mean feat I can assure you.

Vendee Globe

A Visit to the Southampton Boat Show - Dee Caffari

Dee Caffari — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 08:18:25 +0000

Blog at YachtPals.com - The Online Boating Community

How fickle the weather can be but how grateful are we for some long awaited sunshine. I had almost forgotten what the sun looked like! The agreeable weather is fantastic news for the PSP Southampton Boat Show which opened on Friday with Mike Golding bringing the victorious Olympic sailors to the show onboard ECOVER. It was a great opportunity to see some famous faces and the ten day event looks set to be a great success as it celebrates its 40th year.

Aviva

Southampton Boat Show

timminocky — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 22:26:22 +0000

YachtPals.com 13 Sep
Southampton Boat Show

Southampton UK - I guess all boating aficionados have something of a chemical imbalance in the brain, something like a compulsive disorder. Like the chemical imbalance in the brain of someone in love that scientists apparently have labeled ‘pathological romance’. It’s all down to a lack of the neurotransmitter serotonin, apparently. This perhaps explains why, despite the gloomy economic forecasts, so many had turned out for the first day of the Southampton Boat Show, which opened Friday.

ECOVER 3 - Mike Golding

Sailing at Cowes Week - Dee Caffari

Dee Caffari — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 19:20:38 +0000

Blog at YachtPals.com - The Online Boating Community

Another fabulous Cowes week comes to an end and many smiling guests of Aviva have had an enjoyable experience. They have sailed onboard the Open 60 and seen a little of what Cowes Week is all about. The sun came out on occasion and the wind was plenty to sail with.

Aviva

Sailing at Cowes Week

Dee Caffari — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:49:31 +0000

Blog at YachtPals.com - The Online Boating Community

Tuesday saw winds peaking at 23 knots for the Artemis Challenge. Eight boats took to the start line for some really close racing and a true spectacle of how exciting the Open 60 are fully powered up. Ecover 3 and Aviva challenged for the start line and we all sailed hard and fast through the showers towards the Needles.

Aviva

Artemis Challenge at Cowes Week

YachtPals — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 18:34:15 +0000

YachtPals.com 06 Aug
Artemis Challenge at Cowes Week

Cowes, UK - Celebrities and All Star sailors were seen sailing some slick Open 60 yachts around the Isle of Wight yesterday in the Artemis Challenge Yacht Race. Dee Caffari, Sam Davies, Brian Thompson, Ellen MacArthur, Steve White, Mike Sanderson, and others were out sailing for charity, and of course, for fun.

Toe in the Water - Steve White

Artemis Challenge at Cowes Week - Photo

Dee Caffari — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 20:12:53 +0000

Photo at YachtPals.com - The Online Boating Community 05 Aug
Artemis Challenge at Cowes Week - Photo

Cowes week coming up - Dee Caffari

Dee Caffari — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 23:01:58 +0000

Blog at YachtPals.com - The Online Boating Community

A damp, windy and bleak day greeted me early on Wednesday morning as I arrived at Howth Yacht Club in Dublin, Ireland. A worried looking group of Brokers and clients for Aviva had gathered around a salty sea dog in the form of Liam Lalore. He was to be our skipper for the day onboard Arctic Fox, a Bavaria 38. Fred McCollum had prepared breakfast and instructed his crew to look after us. The forecast was not great and the gusts in excess of thirty knots were whistling through the marina.

Aviva

Time for a holiday - Dee Caffari

Dee Caffari — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 16:45:24 +0000

Blog at YachtPals.com - The Online Boating Community

After some interesting sailing and an eventful race last weekend we have had a busy week.

Back out on the water for a couple of days sailing and getting some more accurate calibrations for our wind instruments allowed us to enjoy an almost empty Solent in comparison to the weekend. The guys

Aviva

Round the Island Race Aviva Crew - Photo

Dee Caffari — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 17:12:44 +0000

Photo at YachtPals.com - The Online Boating Community 29 Jun
Round the Island Race Aviva Crew - Photo

Round the Island Race - Dee Caffari

Dee Caffari — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 18:58:46 +0000

Blog at YachtPals.com - The Online Boating Community

It was an interesting race for Aviva and her crew today. We started really well in threatening skies and blustery winds. With fifteen to twenty knots of wind from the southwest we tacked away from the island side towards the west. At times we had to duck under other boats and the gap between us made us draw breath but fortunately we were clear of everyone, I am relieved to say.

Aviva

Round the Island Race - Sailing 'Round the Isle of Wight

YachtPals — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 03:32:31 +0000

YachtPals.com 28 Jun
Round the Island Race - Sailing 'Round the Isle of Wight

Isle of Wight, UK - If you're one of what some predict will be the 16,000 participants sailing in this year's Round the Island race, what are you doing reading this? You've got a race to get ready for!

Aviva

Final preparations for Round the Island Race - Dee Caffari

Dee Caffari — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 21:54:56 +0000

Blog at YachtPals.com - The Online Boating Community

The largest sailing event in the UK is set to take place in just a few hours time, the JP Morgan Asset Management Round The Island Race.

Aviva

Sailing Aviva in over Fifty Knots - Dee Caffari

Dee Caffari — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 18:46:32 +0000

Blog at YachtPals.com - The Online Boating Community

Atlantic Ocean - How best to describe the last few days onboard Aviva to those who were not here is always tricky. A description I have heard is that it is like being in a rally car driving down country lanes in the pouring rain with no lights on and plenty of potholes in the road. You have the controls but the driver is someone you have never met and therefore do not always entirely trust.

Aviva

Loïck with Sam and Dee - Photo

Dee Caffari — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 18:19:05 +0000

Photo at YachtPals.com - The Online Boating Community 09 Jun
Loïck with Sam and Dee - Photo

Dee and Sam Sailing Home with the Boys

Dee Caffari — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 20:45:44 +0000

Blog at YachtPals.com - The Online Boating Community

Just four full days ashore in Boston flew by at an alarming pace and to be honest I never quite had the chance to fully catch up on my sleep or take some time out, aside from a brief shopping trip. The race certainly took more out of me than I had bargained for.

Aviva

Artemis Transat day 16 - Dee Caffari Blog

Dee Caffari — Mon, 26 May 2008 19:58:00 +0000

Blog at YachtPals.com - The Online Boating Community

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.

Aviva

Artemis Transat Day 12 - Look out for whales!

YachtPals — Thu, 22 May 2008 16:15:33 +0000

YachtPals.com 22 May
Artemis Transat Day 12 - Look out for whales!

We could find no records of a race that was so affected by wildlife. As of last night, yet another boat (Sam Davies' Roxy) struck a whale: "I sailed into a whale - my starboard daggerboard took the shock and now I can only use half my daggerboard. Bit scarey! I was sitting at back of the boat fixing my mainsheed padeye and doing about 13 knots."

Roxy - Sam Davies

Artemis Transat - Fatigue - Dee Caffari Blog

Dee Caffari — Mon, 19 May 2008 15:55:43 +0000

Blog at YachtPals.com - The Online Boating Community

I am going to tell you how it really is. Yesterday felt like day two of the endless tacks, and I have a sneaky suspicion that it will be like this until the end. have seriously lost count of the number of tacks I have done, the number of reefs in and out I have done and then the number of sail changes period. My arms ache, I can definitely say that there are no bingo wings on me at the moment, but the speed at which I turn the handles of the pedestal has definitely slowed.

Aviva

Artemis Transat Day 8 - Out of the Darkness

YachtPals — Sun, 18 May 2008 18:14:06 +0000

YachtPals.com 18 May
Artemis Transat Day 8 - Out of the Darkness

The blackout is over, and BT is out of the race - undone by a broken mainsail car. BT skipper Sébastien Josse said "Of course pulling out at that stage is a big disappointment, but you know these things can happen. We've seen the boat was capable of being ahead of the best of the IMOCA fleet, that means our optimisation process was based on the right choices.

Aviva

Artemis Day 6 - Slow and Blind

YachtPals — Sat, 17 May 2008 00:28:17 +0000

YachtPals.com 17 May
Artemis Day 6 - Slow and Blind

Fast sailing speeds were not in the cards today for the solo sailors in the Artemis Transat single-handed sailing race. As forecast, the calms have enveloped the head of the fleet and the sailors have simply had to put up with the conditions as they try to extract themselves from this tricky zone.

Aviva

Artemis Transat Breaking News - Foncia Hits Whale!

YachtPals — Thu, 15 May 2008 19:57:53 +0000

YachtPals.com 15 May
Artemis Transat Breaking News - Foncia Hits Whale!

Just in From Michel Desjoyeaux aboard the open 60 Foncia: "About two hours ago, I was upwind doing 10 to 11 knots, I was in the boat and I heard a crack. I felt the starboard daggerboard hit something - it's probably broken. I can't get it up more than 1.5 meters. I hope there won't be a big leak.

Aviva

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