Monday 23 November 2009

TJV: Caffari and Thompson’s race within the Transat Jacques Vabre race


Aviva Ocean Racing on Day 9 of the TJV. Image copright Aviva Ocean Racing.

by Kelly Russell

As the top three Open 60 yachts in the Transat Jacques Vabre continue to pull away from the rest of the fleet, Dee Caffari and Brian Thompson have found themselves part of a race within a race, onboard Aviva.

Having dropped behind W Hotels earlier this morning, the British duo are aiming to regain their lost place and claw back some miles towards the leaders of the main pack of the IMOCA Open 60 class, Foncia and Veolia Environnement.

The 13h00 race ranking on 17th November 2009 positioned Dee Caffari and Brian Thompson, onboard Aviva, in eighth place, 508 miles behind race leader Safran.

Dee Caffari and Brian Thompson’s latest diary entry received on 17 November 2009 at 0823 GMT:“Yesterday was a case of celebrating the weather, blue skies and fluffy white clouds at last. It was about celebrating downwind sailing and also about ticking off some jobs on the jobs list.

“Flat sailing with very little water sluicing across the decks made it perfect to get some of the jobs done on deck. The celebrations took place by having pate and crackers al fresco dining at lunchtime in tribute to Cali's Sunday pate treats during the Vendee Globe and then we also had afternoon tea with Sheila Tourell's Famous Round the World Shortbread. The delightful treat has always been onboard for my offshore adventures so thank you Mummy Tourell (mother of former Aviva Ocean Racing shore team member Andy Tourrell).

“Now we are in a sleigh ride with the weather riding a high pressure system and trying not to get caught in any light wind spots. A few crafty squalls have hit us hard with no wind during the night but that is one of the delights of sailing we never always get what we want.”

Aviva Ocean Racing
Transat Jacques Vabre

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