Vendée Globe

February 18. 2009 at 18:15Breakfast for Dee and Sam

The two British sailors Sam Davies and Dee Caffari shared their breakfast this morning with over a million viewers on BBC Breakfast. Dee will be returning to Les Sables d’Olonne on Wednesday evening to await the next two competitors, Arnaud Boissières and Steve White.

February 18. 2009 at 08:19So what is your ETA, Cali?

"So Arnaud what is your ETA ? You must be in a hurry to finish, now that the rankings are more or less decided? How does it feel to see the others finishing?

A nice day of sailing, with a fine breeze that got up after 18 hours of calm. Under gennaker, surfing along at the helm with the iPod on but not too loud, so I can hear the boat and feel the waves. There are 900, 2000 or 20,000 miles. It doesn’t matter. It’s the present that counts. The boat is happy and sliding along, tossed about a bit by the waves, who want to show who’s in charge. Each mile is a struggle or a pleasure. In any case in these conditions it’s a pleasure and privilege to be here.

And your ETA ?
It’s dull. There are plastic bottles and crab pots floating around. This isn’t the southern ocean, but sometimes the surf makes me think of that

And your ETA?
Ask the wind god. I’m just his play thing or servant. All’s well on the veranda. In a hurry to finish and set out on new challenges

So what are your final days at sea like?
Like the first: It’s a pleasure to be here and a privilege to be still racing

And your ETA ?
The next black 18-metre veranda you see near the Nouch Buoy with one bloke on board means the ETA is not far off. If you want more information call our hotline 0.36 euros /min"

Arnaud Boissières (Akéna Vérandas) in his daily message

February 18. 2009 at 07:45Rich out of the low pressure-system

"Finally released from our private low pressure system that had clouded the skies and had bent the wind to a header of NNE to N. Wind now back to more normal NE. Also skies cleared
somewhat, got a bit of sun in late afternoon, may get stars tonight, good for the spirits. boat going fast, and pressed,and still crashes off the waves, going upwind is very hard on the boat. tried to rest this afternoon. Got some dozing in, no real sleep,but it helped, will do same tonight. Other day, when we crossed the equator, had a nice chat, forgot to report, with captain of Norwegian flag vessel, headed south to pick up 40k tons of paper for delivery to belgium, mostly newsprint. Smart looking ship, with cranes collected aft that could roll forward over the holds. Then later that night, at the equator, saw a brightly lit ship, holding station at 0deg, 32.5W, called him, but no answer, must be some sort of research vessel."

Rich in his daily message yesterday evening

February 17. 2009 at 18:50Familar stars in the sky

"We are officially out of flying fish territory now, and the last occupants who had somewhat outstayed their welcome under the staysail deckbag have now been evicted! It is a bit of a relief actually; although they are a real triumph of the creature creation department, to be throwing them back many times per night when I should be sleeping is an activity that will not be missed. Even though the have mastery of two elements, someone forgot to install brains, which was a shame, but I reckon one had a crash helmet to protect what little brain it had - there is a small head shaped dent in the cockpit side which was not there before. At fourteen inches long for a big flying fish it is possible........

It is gradually getting cooler, and I have broken out socks and boots for the nightime, and for the first time today, during the day as well. It's nice that it is a bit cooler, we just need some wind to go with it now. At night all the stars look familiar again, and if I look behind me, almost due south, the star that flashes red, white and green is clearly visible a hands width above the horizon - if you don't believe me, find a dark place where there's no light pollution on a clear night and have a look, it is there flashing away!

With Dee safely in up we have, she promises, seen the last of her jokes. Some will say that mine were worse I'm sure, but they all gave us something to have a groan about!  I've been thinking a lot about canting keels too, and the designs for the new boat. It's funny how you can throw a battery on any thirty year old JCB that has been sitting in a field and it will fire up and the bucket will go up and down without any trouble. Put that in a boat and it all seems to fall apart however, it should all work fine but never seems to....so soon hopefully I'll be on e-bay looking for a second hand digger to canibalise for my canting keel hydraulics!"

Steve White (Toe in the Water)  in his daily message

February 17. 2009 at 07:49Derek preparing to sail

“It's been six weeks since arriving in Hobart with Algimouss Spirit of Canada. During this time we have been slowly getting the boat back to sailing configuration. The remaining Vendee Globe competitors have been racing to the finish in Les Sables and it has been fantastic following the race from the sidelines but I must admit to a twinge of "unfinished business" for us as I watch and read about them going up the "channel" in Les Sables. It's pure magic and it makes my resolve even stronger to be a part of the race again in four years time. The team has a lot of hurdles to overcome and they won't be easy but that is why the Vendee Globe is the hardest race in the world. The new rigging from Navtec has arrived and the two spreaders for the mast are slated to arrive early on Monday the 16th February and with some luck with the weather, the mast will be back up Monday evening. I've decided to sail the boat back and it will take about 3 days to prepare for departure.”
Derek Hatfield (Algimouss-Spirit of Canada)
 

February 16. 2009 at 22:32Dee wants to be back in 2012

Dee talks about her weekend movies, the X-factor and her choice of shampoo.  You can listen to her press conference by clicking here

February 16. 2009 at 20:30Rich Wilson my own private low

"Still going. We have our own private low formed off the brazilian coast to bend the wind in a more adverse direction than even the ne trades would be. Had perhaps 16 or 18 thunderstroms come through this morning, rain, wind, no wind, 50 degree wind shifts, sails up, sails down, heading for france, heading for mexico, pounding, crashing, keel on, keel off, start over. Knocked the windcharger, already loose, completely off its mount to dangle by its wires. Maybe tomorrow will be better."

Rich Wilson in his daily message

February 16. 2009 at 18:24Into the channel for Dee and ready to dock.

The timing could not be better, the sun is dipping like a huge orange fireball to her west, on the left side of the channel as she comes towards the marina, and the flares are luminous in the evening light. Once again it is amazing how many people have turned out to see the popular Caffari as she arrives and she keeps smiling and waving, laughing at times. In so many ways the finish line may open the release valve on the emotions, but these minutes down the channel are the real reward, the time to fully realise that the race is well and truly over, and the time to celebrate is now.

February 16. 2009 at 18:18Into the channel for Dee and ready to dock.

And the flares are lit, Dee on the bow of the Owen Clarke designed Aviva which was built in New Zealand from the same mould as Mike Golding's Ecover 3 by Hakes Marine.  She is waving furiously, trying not to miss anyone of the thousands of people who have turned out to see her on this Monday evening. From having sailed so much of the race with her French chum Calli, Arnaud Boissieres, he is now not expected to arrive until later in the week.

February 16. 2009 at 18:15Into the channel for Dee and ready to dock.

A perfect evening follows a perfect finish for Dee Caffari as the sun starts to think about going down casting a warm glow over the still waters of the canal and the marina Port Olona. Dee is on the foredeck with her boyfriend Harry as they come into the channel, waving to the big crowds who have turned out in force to greet Dee and her yellow Open 60.