The Aviva Ocean Racing team has spent the week getting ready for the off as the count down to the Vendée Globe start really steps up a gear!
There is now less than a month until the start gun fires and Dee Caffari sets off around the world on her record bid to become the first woman to sail solo, non-stop around the world in both directions.
This week the shore team made the final preparations to the boat and packed Aviva with the necessary supplies in advance of the delivery trip to Les Sables d’Olonne in France this weekend.
Loading spares, food, clothing and essential items can be a time-consuming job as everything needs to be packed away into as small a package as possible. Space onboard is extremely limited and the constant theme of ‘keeping the weight down’ is at the forefront of the team’s minds as they stow away kit and stores. That hasn’t stopped them squeezing in a few morale-boosting extras to ensure that Dee has some unexpected treats along the way!
Dee plans to sail from Gosport onToday, Sunday and a crowd of her most ardent fans are hoping to wave her off the dock. The children from the Swallows and Amazons and St Mary’s Junior sailing clubs started following Dee’s sailing adventures in 2005 by sending regular messages of support throughout the 178-day Aviva Challenge voyage.
They now plan to follow her on this new record attempt in the Vendée Globe. The children from Alvertstoke Junior School will also be learning about Dee’s adventure through the Dee Caffari Education Pack that can be downloaded from www.avivaoceanracing.com/index.asp?pageid=104.
Dee ready for the start of the Vendee Globe
Photo: onEdition
