First night

Round the world record holding yachtswoman Dee Caffari aboard her Open 60 yacht Aviva with fellow sailor Brian Thompson. The pair are teaming up to compete in the Transat Jacques Vabre race between France and Costa Rica in early November. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday October 5, 2009. Photo credit should read: Chris Ison/PA Wire.

Aviva Monday 9th November 2009
At 0745 UTC
 
A good start from the line saw us sail downwind into a large swell that made the ride a little uncomfortable.

The wind was not exactly as we hoped so we all headed slightly high off course. As the afternoon progressed we were all very close and before we knew it the daylight had faded and it was dark. With the dark came the wind and a change of direction. In fact it so dark you could not see the large waves we were sailing into any longer. The real buzz came at about 2200hrs when we were surfing along at 23 knots alongside Akena. All you could see were navigation lights and the walls of spray leaving the bow wave. We were so close and both boats were doing similar speeds. It took us ages to get clear so we could relax again. With a cloud full of rain visibility was the worst it had been and we lost any navigation lights we were trying to track.
 
Now after what has seemed like forever, the sun has risen, the wind has dropped and the sea is left with a messy swell and about four yachts have reappeared. Just to leeward on the horizon we can see Foncia so that has made us smile with our porridge. Today we have light winds for a few hours before meeting a new depression and tackling the cold front late tonight. We will be busy today, that is for sure.
 
Dee and Brian

www.deecaffari.com