Tension builds for Dee Caffari as blackout approaches

The 36-hour black out on position rankings starting at 18.00 GMT tonight could transform the race by Sunday, says Dee Caffari skipper of Aviva. Caffari has worked her way into the middle of the Artemis Transat Open 60 fleet and is looking forward to sailing over the weekend without the distraction of rival skipper manoeuvres.

During the black out the skippers will have no knowledge of their competitor’s movements and decisions made during this period will either delight or dismay early on Sunday morning.

Caffari commented from onboard Aviva this morning:

‘It can be reassuring when the position rankings come through in the morning because you can see where everyone is and see if you have made any ground. A lot can happen in 36 hours and once we start going upwind we are all going to be tacking at different times so things could look very different on Sunday.’

For the moment, Caffari is happy with her position in the fleet and is pleased that her race strategy is starting to pay dividends.

‘Sailing Aviva has been a pleasure and I’m really pleased that my decisions on the weather and my tactical strategy have put me in the middle of the fleet and not a million miles away. I’ve not followed anyone, made my own decisions and now I’m in the mix, so I’m feeling good. I’ve got options for the next 36 hours and with the blackout no one will know what anyone else is doing.’

The solo skippers will be glued to their screens on Sunday morning to find out if they have made the right choices. Whilst Caffari is out battling the north Atlantic, she is aware that some of her most dedicated supporters from the Portsmouth area will have their sporting attentions elsewhere.

‘The blackout idea is interesting though I know it might lose us a few supporters over the weekend bearing in mind Portsmouth are in the FA Cup final! Hopefully they’ll win tomorrow and they’ll send some of their winning luck to me and Aviva on Sunday,’ said Caffari.

Dee Caffari’s latest diary entry received on 16 May:

‘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