Dee Caffari in the Barcelona World Race

After a good start yesterday, Dee Caffari and Anna Corbella on Gaes Centros Auditivos (was Dee's Aviva) are lying 8th at 10:00 on New Year's Day, 7 miles behind the race leaders Desjoyeaux and Gabart on Foncia. The first leg down to Gibraltar is proving tricky, with light winds and rather British weather. Dee and Anna were interviewed on BBC Radio 4's Women's Hour before the start, listen again here (available till Thursday 6 January 10.00) http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/b00wr9v6/Womans_Hour_30_12_2010 (interview starts at 10.43mins).

Speaking before the start Dee Caffari said: "I’m really excited, I want to go sailing! It feels like it’s been a long time coming, I don’t know why but the preparation feels a bit longer, probably because there’s been Christmas in the middle. It’s typical British weather to make me feel comfortable, but hopefully we’ll be sailing and can get away from this.

"There’s a real buzz, it’s brilliant. It’s really nice and all the skippers are supporting each other and wishing us all the best, there’s a good feeling here. There’s a lot more frivolity here than I’ve felt before in races. I feel more relaxed, which is kind of new for me! It’s a good sign I think because obviously Anna’s the one who’s going into what she doesn’t know, and I do know what to expect and I’ve never been in that position before.

"The first 24 hours are going to be really tough. The Med is delivering typical Mediterranean weather, where we’re not quite sure, we’re not 100 per cent on the models and we’re just going to have to work really hard on keeping the boat going. The boats are going to be really close which is going to be really exciting for everyone to watch, but it’s going to be quite stressful for us.

"It’s Anna’s back garden so I’m in her control. We just need to focus on going fast and obviously keep an eye on where everyone is."

Read more about their experience and approach to the race plus an interview here.

A message from the boat at 07:15 this morning said:

All good onboard. Light winds make progress difficult but we are staying with the others so we are happy.

Besos,
The Gaes Girls

GAES Centros Auditivos (GAES Hearing Centres) is Dee Caffari's former Aviva. It was conceived by the design team at Owen Clarke and built at the Hakes Marine shipyard in New Zealand. The yacht was launched in December 2007 and since then it has sailed over 60,000 miles, including the Vendee Globe 2008/09. It is a very powerful yacht and the twin of Mike Golding's Ecover. The British yachtswoman has also sailed an Artemis Transat in 2008 and the Transat Jacques Vabre 2009 with the IMOCA Open 60. Last spring, the boat underwent a comprehensive refit in Barcelona, including the re-modelling of the cockpit, with increased protection and the transfer from a steering wheel to a tiller, as well as a new handling system.

Technical Characteristics

Designer: Owen Clarke Design LLP / Clay Oliver
Shipyard: Hakes Marine Construction, Wellington (New Zealand)
Launch: December 2007
Previous names: Aviva
Length: 18.28 m (60 feet)
Beam: 5.57m

Another British competitor, Alex Thompson (Hugo Boss), was taken to hospital on Wednesday to have his appendix removed. His place has been taken by Wouter Verbraak, an experienced ocean racing sailor. A decision about whether and when Alex Thompson will rejoin the boat is yet to be taken.

Read more about the race at the official website http://www.barcelonaworldrace.org/en/actualite/news/index.php