| At Sea. Aviva Challenge: Dee Caffari should have a spell of decent running conditions |
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| Friday, 07 April 2006 | |
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Team Aviva: Dee Caffari is on the move again after a ridge of high pressure dampened the initial excitement of returning to the Atlantic. There was no escape from the light and fickle winds stretching across her track, but the latest forecast from weather forecaster Mike Broughton indicates “decent and fast running conditions” in a south-easterly breeze for up to 6 days. At 13:09 BST today Aviva’s speed over the ground was 10 knots, and over the six-hour period between the morning and afternoon position reports, she maintained an average speed of 8.9 knots. “I have sailed into some breeze this morning,” wrote Dee in her latest diary entry. “it was another glorious day, with the sun shining and a clear sky.” Mike explained yesterday that the southeasterly breeze was a result of, “The South Atlantic High, [which] will move towards her position, around 130 miles off the coast of South Africa at 30° south, and squeeze the isobars together. I’m confident the winds will then fill in, bringing decent and fast running conditions.” Dee has been adjusting from the “survival mode” that dominated life in the Southern Ocean, to “Atlantic mode,” which will allow her to sail harder and faster and enjoy all the freedoms associated with life on board when violent seas are not making simple movements hazardous, but the dramatic change in conditions also comes with a new set of challenges. Mike Broughton said, “In the Southern Ocean, Dee looked forward to the light patches between the storms, knowing that they would soon pass, but now that she is back in the Atlantic, areas of light wind cause “intense frustration” and we will be working hard to avoid them.” On a technical front, an old problem resurfaced on Thursday, but thankfully it was one Dee could solve: “the autopilot decided to be difficult … I have at various times had issues, but all have been surmountable by various means to keep us going. I have become very good at troubleshooting.” Looking forward the steady conditions will have a direct effect on Dee’s emotional and psychological condition because consistent winds have a raft of associated benefits. She will be making good progress without the need for constant and exhausting alterations to the sail configuration. Without the need to regularly alter the sail plan in a shifting breeze Dee can sleep easier, and for longer. It will become easier to manage her diet to ensure she eats and drinks regularly. Plus, the downwind sailing will result in a much flatter boat, which subsequently allows Dee to enjoy life on deck and below without the threat of injury. |
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| Last Updated ( Friday, 07 April 2006 ) |
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