Life at an angle

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.

The Laughing Cow for Breakfast
 
Received at 0725hrs GMT
 
Yesterday we were sailing downwind under Code 3 with Groupe Bel joining us for breakfast. We gybed away from her to go west with the leading pack and I see this morning we are still together.
The downwind conditions are all over for a while for us as when the darkness descended the wind direction changed and we are now sailing upwind. Life at an angle and bouncy too makes even the simplest of things difficult. The sail changes have been plentiful and we are close to being as small as we dare, three reefs in the mainsail and the staysail up. Walls of water are crashing over the boat that feel icy to exposed hands. The most wind we have seen has been 40 knots in a squall but the wind is pretty steady at 25 - 30 knots. Today’s big plans are to tack and finally get to head south for a while. I hope the temperatures warm up and also for a little less wind to make conditions pleasurable once more.
 
Dee and Brian

www.deecaffari.com
www.jacques-vabre.com