Vendée Globe

With two circumnavigations under her belt, the British yachtswomen is setting sail on her first Vendée Globe and this time, Dee Caffari will be sailing the "right" way around (from west to east). A newcomer to the Imoca circuit, the solo yachtswoman has been busy sailing her latest generation prototype.

You are one of the thirty setting sail on 9th November: it´s a great line-up! 
«I´m very proud to be here in Les Sables d’Olonne. It´s very special for me, as the other skippers are sailing legends and now I´m here with them! It´s very exciting… This is the first time they are all present, as on previous races, I was only alongside a few of them. Today, all the sailors are here! This is all new to me, as for my last round the world voyage the wrong way, I was all alone at sea. It wasn´t a race, but a record. This time, it´s a race with the positions appearing each day. that changes the way you sail. Before, it was just me and the sea and the wind: that was easier!» 

What are your relations with the other skippers? 
«They´re all being very nice to me, and I hope they are pleased to see me here alongside them. Apart from the sheer competition aspect, sailing is a sport that brings people together and that is especially the case for ocean racers. The yachtsmen always understand each other and show respect for one another. However, there is a lot of pressure on me now… » 

The Vendée Globe will be your third circumnavigation. 
«Yes, but the first time the right way! It´s a bit lke driving in England maybe… This time, I´ll be setting out from Les Sables d’Olonne and I have to go the right way from west to east around the world. However, it is very different, because the boats are faster and more powerful: the sensations and the way of sailing are different, as you need to be competitive facing your rivals.» 

Is Aviva very different from the previous boats you have sailed? 
«Yes, as the latest generation monohulls are really much faster and more demanding. Looking back, I feel that my previous boat, Aviva aboard which I prepared the Vendée Globe during the Transat Jacques Vabre and the Transat Ecover-BtoB, is no longer really a 60´ Imoca! The power is not at all the same… I haven´t had much time to get used to that, but I have sailed a lot since her launch earlier this year to get to know her. It didn´t leave me much time to get to Les Sables d’Olonne, but I did as much as I could with all my team to be ready on time.»

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